Peanut ( groundnut )

The name peanut is used for the plant and also for the fruit of the plant.



Image 1:
Peanut seeds, with and without shell.
The peanut with shell shown in the image is about 4 cm long.

Details to peanut plants and seeds

• Plant type:   annual, low growing herb.
  
• Flower:   yellow, small.
  
• Peanut seeds are used for :   Food, as boiled or roasted, cooking oil, peanut butter, and also for cosmetics and medicine.
  
• Preferred climate:   warm climate, moderate rainfall, 400 mm per year.
  
• Preferred soil:   light, sandy loam soil.
  
• Best planting time:   at beginning of rain season.
  
• Best harvest time:   in dry season.
  
• Recommended planting distances:   about 10-15 cm.
  
• Recommended planting depth:   about 5-7 cm.
  
• Time to mature:
  3-4 month for upright varities ( bunch or erect varieties),
  4-5 month for runner varities.
  
• Fruits:   ripening underground in "pods" (shells). One pod usually contains 2 seeds (see image 1).
  
• History:   peanuts were planted in South America more than 1000 years ago.
  
• Plant native to:   South America
  
• Scientific name:   Arachis hypagaea (for cultivated peanuts).