The only exotic 'walking tree' in the world

Socratea exorrhiza is probably the only mobile plant in the world. The complex system of plant roots acts as a foot, helping the tree to constantly move toward sunlight when changing seasons.

Socratea exorrhiza is a palm that lives in tropical forests in central and southern American countries like Ecuador. They are nicknamed "walking trees" because this plant possesses a special set of roots that scientists cannot explain. The roots of the plant grow strangely strong, many roots stick out from the stump a few feet from the ground.

It is said that "walking trees" can move from the shade to sunlight by inserting new roots towards the light, and the old roots will slowly lift up and die.

This process may take several years, but there are also paleontologists that plants can "walk" 2 or 3cm a day, or 20 meters a year. The distance sounds a little bit but the reality is pretty much for a palm tree's "marathon" .

This is the only mobile plant in the world.

Plants move 20m / year.

This palm type lives in the rainforest.