Scientist Says These Trees In Latin America “Walk” More Than 65 Feet A Year [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Scientist Says These Trees In Latin America “Walk” More Than 65 Feet A Year

By Cindy Casares • December 23, 2015 • 11:54am



A strange tree in Central and South America has scientists debating the purpose of its unique, stilt-like root adaptation.

The tree is called Socratea exorrhiza, but it is known colloquially as a "Walking Palm Tree." Rather than having one trunk at its base, the Walking Palm splits off into multiple roots that sit above the ground in a teepee shape. Some scientists say when the roots grow in one direction, the tree follows, sometimes moving more than an inch a day and more than 65 feet in a year.

One theory is that the tree’s roots move around the rainforest looking for sunlight, while others have reported that its unique roots allow the palm to "walk" away from the point of germination if another tree falls on it when it's still young. In a 1980 article in the journal Biotropica, John H. Bodley and Foley C. Benson wrote: "The aerial stilt roots of Socratea exorrhiza allow this palm literally to pick itself up and 'walk' out from under fallen limbs and obstacles that are major hazards for immature palms. The lower trunk and older roots rot away and are left behind as the tree sends out new roots and moves away from its germination point."

The following diagram found on Wikipedia illustrates their theory.

"A diagram illustrating how the stilt roots of Socratea exhorriza allow it to right itself after other plants collapse on top of it. 1 - the palm is growing normally. 2 - a tree collapses onto the palm and flattens the stem. 3 - new stilt roots form along the old stem and the original roots (dashed lines) start to die. 4 - the palm continues to grow normally but has now moved away from where it originally germinated."

More:
http://www.latina.com/lifestyle/our-issues/walking-trees-latin-america