Peanut
A legume crop with underground pods, grown worldwide for food and oil.
The peanut (Arachis hypogaea), also known as the groundnut, goober, goober pea, pindar, or monkey nut, is a legume crop grown mainly for its edible seeds, which develop in underground pods. It is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions by small and large commercial producers, serving both as a grain legume and an oil crop. Native to South America, the peanut belongs to the Fabaceae family and is notable for its underground fruiting (geocarpy), a trait that led Carl Linnaeus to name the species hypogaea, from Greek meaning 'under the earth'.
- scientific_name
- Arachis hypogaea
- family
- Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
- native_region
- South America (east of the Andes, around Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil)
- key_feature
- Geocarpy (underground fruiting)
- uses
- Edible seeds, peanut oil, peanut butter, animal feed, fertilizer, industrial products
Lore & Background
The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea) arose from a hybrid between two wild species, thought to be A. duranensis and A. ipaensis. The initial hybrid was sterile, but spontaneous chromosome doubling restored fertility, forming an amphidiploid or allotetraploid. Genetic analysis suggests this hybridization may have occurred only once, giving rise to A. monticola, a wild form, and later through artificial selection to A. hypogaea. Domestication made the plant bushier, more compact, with different pod structure and larger seeds. hypogaea. Many pre-Columbian cultures, such as the Moche, depicted peanuts in their art, and cultivation was well-established in Mesoamerica before the Spanish arrived, who found it sold in the marketplace of Tenochtitlan under the Nahuatl name tlālcacahuatl.
Reader's Guide
The peanut is significant as a globally important legume crop, valued for its edible seeds and oil, and for its ability to improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Its cultivation spread from South America to Europe via Spain in the 19th century, then worldwide by European traders, notably replacing the Bambara groundnut in West Africa. In the United States, peanuts were introduced during the colonial period, initially as a garden crop and later as animal feedstock until human consumption grew in the 1930s. George Washington Carver championed the peanut in the American South, inventing and promulgating hundreds of peanut-based products. after the Beech-Nut company sold it at the St. The U.S. Department of Agriculture later initiated programs to encourage production and consumption. Peanuts are also used in sauces, candies, and industrial products like paint and varnish, though some people have fatal allergic reactions.
Did You Know?
- The peanut is not a true nut botanically, but a legume whose fruit develops underground.
- Peanut skins contain resveratrol, a polyphenol also found in grapes.
- The species name hypogaea comes from Greek for 'under the earth', referring to its underground fruiting.
- Peanut plants have nyctinastic leaves that close at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Peanut?
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a legume crop best known for producing edible seeds inside pods that form beneath the soil surface. It goes by many nicknames including groundnut, goober, and monkey nut, and it's cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
How does Peanut grow its pods underground?
Peanut exhibits a trait called geocarpy, where after flowering the fertilized ovary is pushed down into the soil to develop into a pod. This is what inspired Linnaeus to name the species 'hypogaea,' a Greek-derived term meaning 'under the earth.'
What can Peanut be used for?
Beyond the familiar peanut butter and roasted snacks, Peanut serves as a source of cooking oil, animal feed, and soil-enriching fertilizer. It also yields various industrial products, making it a versatile crop for both smallholder farmers and large commercial operations.
Where is Peanut originally from?
Peanut is native to South America, specifically the eastern Andean region spanning areas around Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil. From there it spread globally and is now grown in tropical and subtropical zones around the world.
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