The walking tree, or Socratea exorrhiza, is a tall tropical palm known for its unusual stilt roots. Its trunk is smooth and grayish-brown, with faint rings where old leaves used to be. The bark itself isn't very thick or rough, but the tree stands out because of the thick, woody roots that grow above the ground. These stilt roots spread out from the base of the trunk like legs, helping the tree stay upright in wet or unstable rainforest soil. Some people believe the tree can 'walk' by growing new roots in one direction and letting old ones die off, but scientists haven't found strong evidence that it actually moves. Instead, the roots help the tree adjust to changes in its environment, like fallen logs or shifting ground.
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