Have you ever heard of a tree that can walk? From moving one place to another? It may sound unusual. But there is a tropical palm tree, which is popularly known as Walking Tree.
Its scientific name is “Socratea Exorrhiza," and this palm tree got its unusual name, “Walking Tree," due to its strange roots that grow above the ground and look almost like legs, and they are moving, but is not.
Explore this article in detail and know all about the Walking Tree “Socratea Exorrhiza”.
Socratea Exorrhiza: Quick Information
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Feature
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Information
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Scientific name
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Socratea exorrhiza
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Common name
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Walking palm / Walking tree
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Type
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Palm
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Family
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Arecaceae
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Where it grows
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Tropical forests of Central and South America
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Special feature
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Tall stilt-like roots
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Habitat
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Tropical rainforests
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Why called walking tree?
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Due to its unusual roots, which led to claims that the tree can move
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Can it really walk?
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There is no strong scientific evidence that the whole tree moves
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Why Is “Socratea Exorrhiza" Called a Walking Tree?
The name is derived from the odd-shaped roots of the tree.
Socratea exorrhiza is unique among trees in having stilt roots that stand above the soil. The root system can cause the palm to appear perched on many long legs.
This strange form inspired the well-known legend of how the tree is able to creep slowly through the forest.
It is thought that the palm may regenerate new roots towards a more favorable environment, with the old roots on the other side dying off. This has given rise to the notion that the tree can gradually bend and shift towards the sun.
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Can the Walking Tree Really Move?
No, as of now it is scientifically proven that the walking tree is not moving. Some people have suggested that the palm can move by having new roots and shedding old roots. In one instance, it was proposed that a palm could walk a good distance over a long period of time.
This idea has been challenged by scientific observations, however.
According to research cited by Nature and Culture International, botanist Gerardo Avalos conducted his study on Socratea exorrhiza and discovered that the roots were not responsible for transporting the tree from one location to another.
As per the Discover Wildlife, there is no evidence of the tree walking has been produced. Rather, its unusual roots seem to support the palm and allow it to grow tall in the rainforest.
Thus, it is interesting to say that it is a “walking tree,” but more accurately, the nickname is more of a popular term, not a true scientific skill.
What Is Special About Its Roots?
It is this palm that is so popular for its root. Roots spread out and up from the trunk base, creating the “stilts” appearance. Some roots can be several feet above the ground.
These roots may provide the palm with a wide and stable base.
It can be helpful in a tropical forest environment, such as areas where the soil may be soft or moist.
The odd root system also might enable the palm to grow taller without requiring a very thick trunk.
Conclusion
Socratea exorrhiza is an extremely unusual tropical palm. The tall trunk, with its unusual stilt-like roots, gives it the appearance that it has legs.
This is why it is commonly referred to as "the walking tree" or "the walking palm. There is no evidence, however, that the whole tree moves from one place to another.
Rather, its special attachments seem to keep the palm stable and oriented to the light. The trunk may also serve as the support structure for numerous other plant species and is an interesting component of the rainforest ecosystem.
Well, can a tree walk, then? Socratea exorrhiza: it appears to walk, but science has yet to confirm it.