[3] It is endemic to South Africa, where it is threatened due to habitat loss.

[1] This tree is a living fossil, being the last remaining lineage of the palm trees that were widespread in southern Africa in prehistoric times.

[4] A large living specimen is currently found at the Catamaran Resort in San Diego, CA.

[5][better source needed] The etymology of the original species name caffra is related to kaffir, an ethnic slur used towards black people in Africa.

At the July 2024 International Botanical Congress, a vote was held with the result that "caffra" related names will be emended to afra related ones, with the implementation of this being done at the end of July 2024.