It is a slender palm, growing to 20 m (65 ft) tall in the garden situation, with a trunk 12–15 cm (5–6 in) diameter.

However, in its natural rainforest location such as at Fogg Dam Monsoon Forest 70 km (45 mi) east of Darwin, specimens often exceed 30 metres (100 ft) in height.

It is a popular ornamental plant in northern Australia, valued for its rapid growth and very elegant foliage.

This has led to many carpentaria palms being removed because of the high volumes of fruits they produce.

Note that Carpentaria should not be confused with the similarly spelled Carpenteria, a genus of shrubs in the family Hydrangeaceae native to California.