He suffered from a disease called Epidermodysplasia
verruciformis that caused keratinous nodules to form on his skin.
The disease results in growths resembling vegetation but they are
not roots.
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The world record for the most warts on a human body is believed to be held by Dede Koswara, also known as the "Tree Man." He had hundreds of warts due to a rare condition called epidermodysplasia verruciformis.