Tree that kills its 'enemies' with lightning discovered

The tonka bean (Dipteryx oleifera), which grows in the rainforests of Panama, has adapted to defy lightning strikes, allowing powerful sparks to kill competing trees and parasites.

Some tropical trees act as lightning rods to fend off rivals

Though being struck by lightning is usually bad, the tropical tree Dipteryx oleifera benefits. A strike kills other nearby trees and parasitic vines.

Tree that kills its 'enemies' with lightning discovered

Tonka bean trees survive lightning strikes — and use the powerful electric shocks to kill their competitors.

Panama Tree Shocks Scientists With Lightning-Based Defense

Lightning is commonly considered a sign of disaster in the forest, as lightning kills or damages trees. On the lowlands of Panama, the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera) might have evolved to capitalize on this natural occurrence. New research suggests that lightning strikes could help the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera). According to Live Science research, these trees not only survive these electrical interactions unharmed, but the lightni…

Panama Tree Species Uses Lightning to Eliminate Rivals

TEHRAN (Tasnim) A tropical tree species in Panamas lowland rainforest appears to benefit from lightning strikes by surviving unscathed while nearby vegetation is destroyed, a new study has found.- Space/Science news -The tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera) may have evolved a unique advantage by withstanding lightning strikes that harm neighboring plants and parasitic vines, according to research published Marc

Being struck by lightning is usually not a good thing. But a kind of tropical tree seems to exploit the anger of the sky. Not only do trees survive lightning strikes, but their size and voluminous crowns act as natural paratherms, attracting strikes that damage enemies and stimulate their advantage [...]