Although known by local mule drivers, it was first collected in April 2013 by Saúl Hoyos, and described scientifically by Colombian palm experts Gloria Galeano and Rodrigo Bernal who named the genus Sabinaria after their daughter.

Despite being locally abundant, the limited range occupied by the species makes it vulnerable to habitat destruction.

[1] The leaves of S. magnifica are deeply divided in two almost to the base of the leaf blade, giving a butterfly-like appearance.

[2] They were described by British palm systematists William J. Baker and John Dransfield as "spectacular" and the most distinctive character of the genus.

[1] Trithrinax Itaya Sabinaria Chelyocarpus Cryosophila Schippia Thrinax Leucothrinax Hemithrinax Zombia Coccothrinax Although known by local mule drivers, the species was first collected by Saúl Hoyos, a Colombian botanist, in April 2013.

This opinion that was shared by Bernal's partner and collaborator Gloria Galeano who described it as "the most beautiful of all Colombian palms".

[5] It was first discovered near the base of the Serranía del Darién in Colombia in premontane moist forest-warm transition (according to the Holdridge life zone system),[1] and was subsequently recorded on the Panamanian side of the border.