The Walking Palm- A Prodigy of Nature!
The Walking Palm- A Mystery.
Nature never fails to amaze us with its magical wonders and in this article, we are going to learn about a botanical marvel that challenges conventional wisdom. In the heart of Central and South America resides The Walking Palm tree scientifically known as Socratea exorrhiza, a fascinating tree species that has drawn the attention of nature enthusiasts and environmentalists from all around the world with its fascinating characteristics. With a massive height of about 15–20 meters and a diameter of around 16 centimeters, walking palms are not as usual as the other trees and here we are going to find out how.
Can Trees Literally Walk?
For ages, tourist guides have mentioned the walking palm as the trees that can walk. Belonging to the family Arecaceae and being native to the Amazon rainforest regions, including countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru the walking palm tree, Socratea exorrhiza has a complex root system that seems to enable it to “walk” within its habitat. The walking palm is significantly distinguished from the other trees due to its extraordinary stilt roots, which are long, and slender, and extend outwards from its base, anchoring into the forest floor. These roots provide the walking palm with the ability to slowly reposition itself and also serve as the foundation for its exceptional survival strategies. However, it is important to note that the tree cannot literally walk like humans and animals but it has a remarkable ability to shift its position gradually. It may take over a year for the tree to make a major shift in its position.
The Secret Behind the Walk!
So how does the Walking Palm move gradually? The answer behind this fascinating adaptation lies in the tree’s ability to adjust its root system. As it grows, the walking palm tree extends new roots in one direction which is favorable for its survival while slowly decaying and disengaging its old roots on the opposite side. This gradual shift enables the tree to reorient itself towards a more suitable environment, such as toward a source of sunlight, away from competition, or in the more solid ground areas. This unique ability of the walking palm enables it to survive effectively in the deep dark rainforests where each and every species of plant and animal strives for their existence.
On average, the trees move about 2 to 3 centimeters per day which may not look like a lot, however over a year they can cover up to around 20 meters distance- which is almost 65 feet. The walking palm is the only mobile tree in the world. Isn’t that interesting? No wonder it is a miracle of nature!
Is the Walking Tree in Danger?
Despite its extraordinary survival strategies and adaptation to the challenging environment of the Amazon forests, the Walking Palm is not able to save itself from the destruction caused by human activities like- logging, agriculture, and urbanization. As the rainforest is diminishing these nature marvels are threatened for their survival. Socrateaa exorrhiza is not only significant for its amazing moving abilities, but also it has been a crucially important plant in traditional medicine for decades, as its bark is used to treat several ailments such as fever, malaria, and snake bites. The walking palm is considered sacred in some cultures and is used in various religious ceremonies.
Apart from its medicinal values and cultural importance, the walking palm is a vital species in the rainforest ecosystem. Its ability to move enables it to adapt and survive in the difficult and ever-changing environment of the rainforest. This phenomenon helps in the maintenance of biodiversity by providing a stable habitat for several organisms. The tree’s large leaves provide shade and a home for various animals, birds, and insects. The fruits of the walking palm are a significant food source for many animals, including bats, birds, and rodents.
It is really important to save these magical trees and the rainforest. Initiatives such as rainforest reserves, sustainable forestry practices, and educational programs aimed at raising awareness about the importance of rainforests and their biodiversity are essential to safeguard these unique species and the diverse life they support. Conservation efforts are now being made to save the trees by creating protected areas and promoting sustainable land use practices.
Is the Walking Palm a Reality or Myth?
There has been a long debate among the science community about whether the walking palm trees are a reality or just a myth. Biologist Gerardo Avalos, director of the Center for Sustainable Development Studies in Atenas, Costa Rica denied that Socrateaa exorrhiza can walk. According to him the trunk of the tree remains in one spot and its roots don’t move. An article published by Live Sciences in 2012 mentioned that the tales of walking palm trees are not real. During his interaction with Life’s Little Mysteries podcast, Gerardo Avalos confirmed that these stories are merely made up by tourist guides to engage the visitors of the rainforest.
On the other hand, Peter Vrsansky, a paleobiologist from the Earth Science Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava, claims that he has watched the movement of the walking palm trees during his expedition to the forest in Ecuador. He has explained that after the soil erosion, the trees grow new long roots in search of solid ground. The palm trees often move around 20 meters from their place and the entire process might take a couple of years.
Scientists are still not sure about the role the unique stilt roots play, as some suggest that the multiple roots enable the walking palm to be more stable in swampy regions, while others suggest that stilt roots enable them to grow taller towards the light without increasing the diameter of the stem. However, none of these theories have been confirmed yet and the walking palm still remains a prodigy of nature. On this note, we’ll let you decide for yourself whether or not you wish to believe in this miracle tree!
Sources:
https://geographyscout.com/environment/the-walking-trees-of-ecuador/
https://www.amusingplanet.com/2015/12/do-walking-palm-trees-really-walk.html?m=1
