Dead leaves are marcescent in juvenile palms, but abscise (naturally fall off the tree) neatly in adults.

[2] The inflorescence is infrafoliar and surrounded by a 90 cm (35 in) long, leathery spathe, which curls up on itself after abscission (due to drying out).

On a day in May 2004 an expedition was mounted into the High Plateau of Madagascar in order to confirm the existence of this species.

This species is noted for having oblate (flattened spheroid) rather than ovoid fruit, infrafoliar inflorescence (rather than interfoliar), a peduncle not exceeding 13 cm long (rather than one up to 120 cm long), a 3–5 mm thick leathery peduncular bract which rolls up on when itself when abscised (rather than a heavily lignified peduncular bract 30–40 mm thick, which does not deform when abscised) and 15 stamens (rather than 18–21).

[4] Beccariophoenix alfredii occurs in the High Plateau of Madagascar at approximately 20° S. The palm is found at an elevation of 1,050 m (3,440 ft) growing along the sandy riverbeds.

[2] Due to the environment that B. alfredii is subjected to, it is hardy against frost and cold, fire, drought, and full sun.

[2] It can be expected that after it is less new to cultivation, it may become extremely popular worldwide due to its coconut look-alike status, moderate growth rate, and cold hardiness.