Daily 2021/2022
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Walking palm
One of the more fascinating trees of the lowland forest is the walking palm, Socratea exorrhiza. The tree supposedly “walks” on its unusual aerial stilt roots from shade to sunlight on its direction it wants to travel, and then allows the old roots to lift into the air and die. There is a lot of debate about how rapidly this occurs with gestimates ranging from a couple of years to two or three centimeters per day. Considerable speculation occurs about the adaptive significance of the stilt roots, but the idea that trees can walk seems to be an elaborate myth. But it is interesting to notice that this tree seems to be 'walking around' the light coloured tree trunk that's in its way. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.
walking palmSocratea exorrhizastrange plantsnaturelowland foreststilt rootsfallen leavesOsa PeninsulalCosta Rica
Marc DeGirolamo Photography
on May 16, 2022Looks like little feet on that tree...nice capture and explanation.... :-)
jimholmquist
on May 16, 2022Super shot Terry! This is a very interesting tree.
Lgood
on May 15, 2022That is indeed a fascinating tree. It does look as though it could walk away.
Wayne Wendel
on May 15, 2022That's a wild looking tree, like something out of a children's book. Great shot.
Franks-Focus
on May 15, 2022Great shot demonstrating this interesting phenomenon ..... the name is certainly fitting.
Bill J Boyd Photography
on May 15, 2022Excellent shot, Terry. Interesting info. First I have heard of this
fotoeffects
on May 15, 2022Neat shot....it DOES look like it is trying to avoid the tree trunk! Very interesting info!
Kevin Poynor
on May 15, 2022Interesting root structure. Great shot!
Donna McCommon
on May 15, 2022This reminds me of some of those movies where the trees started walking and attacking people. Great shot.
Judith Sparhawk
on May 15, 2022The idea of a walking tree seems fit for a great fairy tale! ;-)--interesting, but a creepy thought!