This is Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Abroad from the KU Centers for East Asian Studies and Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

The Socratea exorrhiza, a palm tree native to the rainforests in tropical Central and South America, also known as the “walking palm,” has long been rumored to be the world’s only mobile tree. As soil erodes, the walking palm grows new roots that extend towards more solid ground and sunlight. As these roots settle in, the tree bends towards them, lifting the old roots into the air. Its unusual stilt roots, which split from the trunk a few feet above the ground, add to the illusion that the tree has legs, and is literally walking. The whole relocation process can take several years. Some scientists remain skeptical about this but others who have spent time here in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve in Ecuador claim to have seen these trees on the move. Hmm. This gives a whole new meaning to the word “lumber.”

With thanks to Danika Swanson for this text, from the KU Center for East Asian Studies, this is Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.