The 'walking palm' myth debunked by science—yet folklore endures

The palm tree Socratea exorrhiza, also known as 'cashapona', has long fascinated observers with its unusual appearance and behaviour. Its trunk emerges from a cone of stilt-like roots that stretch above the ground, creating a striking, almost animal-like stance. Local tour guides have often claimed the palm can 'walk' up to 20 metres a year by growing new roots and shedding old ones. This idea was first formalised in the 1980s by researchers John Bodley and Foley Benson.

However, a 2005 study by Gerardo Avalos and colleagues found no evidence of the trunk actually moving. Scientists explain that the palm’s stilt roots provide stability and allow rapid vertical growth without needing a thick trunk. This adaptation helps it thrive in uneven, swampy, or eroded soil while gaining height in dense forests.

To ecologists, Socratea exorrhiza remains a compelling example of evolutionary adaptation to difficult environments. The myth of the walking palm endures despite scientific consensus that the tree does not relocate itself. The palm’s unique root system allows it to remain stable and grow efficiently in challenging conditions. While the idea of a walking tree persists in local folklore, scientific research confirms the trunk stays in place. Its evolutionary adaptations continue to intrigue biologists studying plant survival in complex habitats.