Socratea exorrhiza

Abstract

Sometimes referred to in English as the walking palm, Socratea exorrhiza is easily recognized by its large, cylindrical stilt roots that are studded with spines. The latter are sometimes cut for use as graters, but the main use is the trunk which is split to make durable flooring and walls in rural houses. The durable trunks are also used to make fish traps in some areas, such as at the mouth of the Amazon and indigenous groups use the hard wood to fashion a variety of weaponry. This wetland palm is widespread in the Amazon and Orinoco basins and also extends into Central America.