“Walking Tree” Myth Debunked: Science Explains Socratea exorrhiza's “Movement”

• Socratea exorrhiza, a palm in Central and South American rainforests, is fabled to “walk” to find sunlight or firmer ground.
• Guidebooks and travelers have claimed the tree moves a few centimeters daily or several meters annually, a story repeated for generations.
• The tree's exposed stilt-like roots create the illusion of legs, helping it stabilize in soft, waterlogged rainforest soil.
• New roots growing on one side while older ones rot can make the tree appear to lean or shift, causing the “walking” illusion.
• Scientific studies confirm Socratea exorrhiza does not relocate its trunk; its root system is a survival strategy, not a means of movement.

Why It Matters: The “walking tree” is a fascinating illusion; science reveals its roots are for stability, not movement.