Spiral coconut tree stands out in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

A coconut tree in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan caught the curiosity of a vlogger because of its spiral, snake-like trunk.

After seeing its unique form, Ronnie Masicampo couldn’t help but ask, “‘Pag po ba pinulot ‘yung kaniyang bunga at itinanim, ‘pag tumubo, ganito rin po ba kaya ang mangyayari sa katawan?”

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Thursday, an external factor may be the reason why the coconut tree Ronnie saw was formed that way.

“Madaling maapektuhan ‘yung pagtubo ng mga halaman. Halimbawa, medyo nakakurba ‘yung tangkay, puwede pong dahil ito direksyon kung nasaan ‘yung sinag ng araw. Ito ‘yung tinatawag natin na phototropism. Meron ding tinatawag na thigmotropism. Nakakaapekto ‘yung physical contact,” Dr. Erika Marie Bascos of the UP Institute of Biology said.

She added that something led to the mechanical resistance of the coconut tree Ronnie saw while it was just starting to grow out.

“Puwedeng merong baging o may iba pang bagay na nakapulupot doon sa stem na habang tumutubo pa lang po. Plants will always find a way to survive,” she said.

The item or plant in which the coconut tree wrapped itself while it was still growing may be already gone or may have died over time.

“Ang nakikita na lang natin ngayon ay ‘yung naging epekto nila sa pagtubo ng punong ‘yun,” she said.

And should a seed from the tree be planted, the new tree can grow straight and normally with no distractions.

“Puwedeng mamumunga pa rin siya nang maayos. Wala nang pipigil sa kanya na tumubo nang tuwid,” she said.

—Carby Basina/CACM, GMA Integrated News