MOST trees remain stationary, occasionally swaying with the breeze, or sometimes they are even uprooted during a violent storm.
But one particular species in Latin America is said to have evolved with a bizarre ability to “walk” in the forests. Yes, walking trees...and not like those Ents from Lord of the Rings.
Is it true that there are "walking" trees in Latin America?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Dubbed the walking palm, the Socratea exorrhiza (or cashapona) is a type of palm tree that, according to multiple sources, can travel up to 20m a year!
The distance they travel, however, largely depends on where they live.
There have been records that some move merely one to two meters, while others can walk as far as 20m yearly.
These palm trees manoeuvre through the dense forests solely to survive the harsh conditions; they don’t get enough sunlight, which makes them vulnerable.
The walking palm’s movement is aided by its upright aerial roots. Being exposed to the air, its roots serve as “legs”, much like mangroves, except these resilient palm trees can only be found in Latin America.
Rain facilitates the moving activity, as it provides moisture and nutrients crucial for the trees' growth. Hence, they are most active in the summer months.
Sufficient water in the soil allows organic matter like leaves and bark to break down and be absorbed into the soil. The decomposed materials act as minerals and vitamins for the palm.
Sadly, this mysterious tree is listed as an endangered species due to deforestation.
References:
https://a-z-animals.com/blog/
https://www.bbc.com/travel/
https://www.
