If you happen to see this palm tree someday and doubt that it might be haunted, then you’re not to be blamed. Cashapona, popularly known as “Socratea exhorriza” or “Walking palm” is an an exceptional and captivating tree in the species of palms. This is the tree that has been said to be “able to walk” little by little.
This tree has an astonishing root system. Its root system is the one that makes the repositioning easy for a tree. These species are found in the rainforests of Central and Southern America. It can grow up to a height of 25 meters but usually grows to 15–16 cm. Its diameter of around 12–15 cm.
Taxonomic Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
- Class: Monocots (Monocotyledons)
- Order: Arecales (Palm Tree)
- Family: Araecaceae (Palm Family)
- Genus: Socratea
- Species: exorrhiza
Due to their highly adaptive behavior, they are classified with the other palm trees. The natural habitat of Socratea exorrhiza is the Amazon rainforest and other native areas. These are some of the countries where Cashapona can be found: Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia. Although these trees have a highly adaptive behavior, in some areas, they do encounter challenges regarding deforestation and other habitat destruction.
But How Is A Tree Actually Walking?
Socratea exorrhiza is believed to be walking through its roots by using them as legs. It looks like the trunk of Cashapona is later divided into many tiny legs. These legs are the roots of Cashapona. While growing vertically, these come above the ground and make it appear like some part of the shoot. Seeing this, people started believing that these are the legs of the tree and it can walk around. These stilt roots of Socratea exhorriza are so sturdy that they lift the whole shoot system. Crazy, Right? Thus, unlike any other tree, the roots are invisible.
It was first proposed by John H. Brodly in 1980. The idea of a tree walking away from all the hazardous hurdles, was surprisingly amazing, more like a miracle. Thus, it was seen in a positive way that it might be helpful considering that the tree could avoid obstacles coming in the way of its germination of seeds. Besides, the tree keeps moving towards the Sun, letting the older roots die which is “intervening” in its decision.
The tree was said to be walking in the direction of the Sun, somewhat like Heliotropic plants. The roots that are above the ground die eventually and keep on hanging which makes the tree move drowsily in the direction of the sun. It was believed that as the roots keep growing the tree keeps moving forward. A palaeobiologist even expressed that the tree walks around two to three cm per day.
Its Purpose Of Movement
The topic has been much of a debate, but there are several theories about this. One of the most widely acknowledged theories is the sunlight exposure. To provide all its leaves equal amount of sunlight, Socratea exorrhiza keeps repositioning itself.
The slow repositioning makes it quite difficult to notice. It helps reduce the competition as it can just move away from the trees that are coming in the way of sunlight. However, a theory says that it can move up to 20m per year. Isn’t that unbelievable?
A Time-Lapse Of The Tree Moving Around.
Many people even started requesting to release a time-lapse of the palm tree moving around. Even Google searches of “Socratea exorrhiza time-lapse” started to pop up. Well, it’s understandable how people are carnivorous plants like Pitcher Plants or Venus Flytrap, that do activities moving their opening. However, it is not very usual for people to expect a palm to take a walk in the evening.
When it first went viral on other Social Media platforms, netizens went berserk over it. There were floods of upvotes, comments, and reshares, people actually believed the tree might be possessed or haunted. Many even started uploading meme images like this. Its repositioning adaptive behavior started to be seen as its “superpower”.
The Scientific Explanation Regarding The Walking Tree
The walking tree is claimed to be a myth scientifically. It was in 2005 that the Biologist Gerardo Avalos who is the Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies in Atenas came up with a detailed research. He claimed that Socratea exhorriza can not walk. The roots actually can’t move and the ones above the ground eventually die. Besides, the trunk remains deep-rooted on the spot. There is still uncertainty about the role these roots play.
However, E.J.H. Corner in 1961, proposed that the purpose of these rare stilt roots is to let the tree in adverse conditions like around swampy areas. It might be an adaptation. Besides, the claim that it moves with the Sun is also a myth that usually tourist guides use to tell visitors, for their benefit. It has nothing to do with reality.
