The makalani fruit grows on the makalani tree and grows summer time and their mostly found in the north until in Rundu and Kavango. At the top of the trunk, branches, or petioles, radiate out from the trunk, growing to a length of one meter. The palm fans protect themselves with long black thorns. The leaves are feather-shaped.The makalani is an evergreen plant, keeping its leaves throughout the year. The leaves are bright green when young, but turn yellow to brown as they age.