09/28/2020
Strategic Area: Species -
Content Type: Blog
Can trees walk?
To inspire awe of the planet’s extraordinary biodiversity, Nature and Culture is glad to share our monthly series:Strange Miracles of the Rainforest and Beyond.
Miracle #8: The “Walking” Palm
Can trees walk?
Some people claim this one does, in a sense.
Like the Ents from Tolkien’sLord of the Ringssaga (only a bit slower), a certain palm tree reportedly moves across the forest as the growth of new roots gradually relocates it.
The tree in question isSocratea exorrhiza, also nicknamed the “walking palm.”
Socratea exorrhizais a palm native to rainforests in tropical Central and South America. The tree supposedly “walks” from shade to sunlight by growing roots in the direction it wants to travel, and then allowing the old roots to lift into the air and die. Some say the process takes a couple of years, while one paleobiologist suggests the tree moves two or three centimeters per day.
The story of the walking palm has been shared by rainforest guides for years. It was first suggested in science by John H. Bodley in 1980.
In a journal of The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Dr. Bodley reported that the palm uses its roots to “walk away” from its germination point if another tree falls on the seedling and knocks it over. This way, the tree can move away from obstacles that are major hazards for immature palms.
More recently, Peter Vrsansky, a paleobiologist from the Earth Science Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratisla, claims to have seen this phenomenon first-hand.
However, other scientists insist the walking palm is a myth. Biologist Gerardo Avalos published a detailed study onSocratea exorrhizawhere he observed that the tree cannot walk because its roots don’t move.
The question seems to *stem* from the tree’s unique root system.
Unlike other trees that have roots fully hidden underground, the walking palm has a higher root system that grows outwards from the base of the tree, several feet off the ground. Over time, as soil erodes, some of these roots die off, and new roots form.
“Two Walking Palms”, by Dr. Alexey Yakovlev, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Do these rootsactuallyshift the tree’s location? Sadly, research like Avalos’ suggest the trees stay put.
Scientists continue to study the walking palm and its unique root system. Some believe that the roots allow the tree to be more stable in swampy areas. Others suggest that stilt roots allow the palm to grow taller to reach light without having to increase the diameter of the stem, thus investing in less biomass in underground roots than other palms.
Of course, none of these theories have been confirmed.The walking palm remains a strange “miracle” from nature!
You can protect the planet’s extraordinary biodiversity (includingthe walking palm!)here.
The variety of life on the planet is our greatest treasure.Yet one million of the estimated eight million plant and animal species on Earth are at risk of extinction. Nature and Culture hopes that by sharing these12 Strange Miracles you’ll be filled with wonder and gratitude for each species that enriches the planet. Stay tuned for next month’s feature!
I am an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of biodiversity, particularly in the intricate ecosystems of rainforests. My expertise extends to the fascinating phenomenon described in the article dated 09/28/2020, under the strategic area of "Species," presented as a blog post titled "Can trees walk?" This captivating narrative is part of the monthly series "Strange Miracles of the Rainforest and Beyond" by Nature and Culture.
The article introduces Miracle #8, focusing on the enigmatic "Walking Palm," scientifically known as Socratea exorrhiza. The claim that trees can walk is a compelling one, reminiscent of the Ents from Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" saga, albeit at a slower pace. The walking palm is said to migrate through the forest by strategically growing roots in the desired direction and allowing old roots to lift into the air and die.
The narrative is supported by historical roots (pun intended), as the concept was first suggested by John H. Bodley in 1980 and later corroborated by Peter Vrsansky, a paleobiologist from the Earth Science Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratisla. Dr. Bodley reported in a journal of The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation that the palm utilizes its roots to move away from its germination point in response to obstacles such as fallen trees.
However, the article introduces a counterpoint by biologist Gerardo Avalos, who published a detailed study challenging the walking palm myth. According to Avalos, the tree cannot walk because its roots don't move. The crux of the debate revolves around the unique root system of the walking palm, which differs from traditional trees. Instead of fully hidden underground roots, the walking palm has a higher root system growing outward from the base, several feet above the ground. Over time, as soil erodes, old roots die off, and new roots form.
The article presents the ongoing scientific discourse on the walking palm. While some scientists assert that the tree remains stationary, others propose theories about the potential benefits of the unique root system. Some suggest that the roots provide stability in swampy areas, while others argue that stilt roots allow the palm to grow taller without increasing stem diameter, investing less biomass in underground roots compared to other palms.
As a conclusion, the article emphasizes the mysterious nature of the walking palm, highlighting that none of these theories have been confirmed. The walking palm stands as a strange "miracle" of nature, contributing to the extraordinary biodiversity of the planet. The article encourages readers to appreciate and protect Earth's biodiversity, acknowledging the importance of understanding and preserving species like the walking palm.
