The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a leguminous perennial plant native to South America that’s usually grown as an annual in the UK. Technically, peanuts are not actually nuts as the plant belongs to the Fabaceae (pea and bean) family. Peanuts are commonly referred to as groundnuts, earthnuts, or monkey nuts.
The common name ‘groundnut’ comes from the unusual habit of the plant burying its pods in the ground. Known as ‘pegging’, the plants develop adventitious roots that anchor or ‘peg’ the flowers into the ground, and the pods develop in the soil.
While not native to the UK, peanuts can still be grown successfully in some parts of the country, particularly in warmer regions (and/or indoors) and with the right care. They’re best grown in pots in the greenhouse or conservatory, but you may have some success outdoors in warmer regions in summer.
The peanut plant is an interesting and unique crop that produces the delicious peanut we all know and love. Getting an up-close look at how peanuts grow can be an educational and fun experience. In this article, we’ll explore images of the peanut plant throughout its growth cycle and learn some cool facts along the way!
The peanut, also known as the groundnut or goober, is a member of the legume family along with beans, peas, and lentils. Its scientific name is Arachis hypogaea. Unlike most legumes, the peanut plant flowers above ground but produces its fruit below ground.
Peanuts are native to South America and were brought to North America and Europe after European contact in the 16th century. Today, peanuts are grown commercially around the world in tropical and subtropical regions The top peanut producing countries are China, India, Nigeria, and the United States.
In addition to being delicious, peanuts are nutritious. They contain protein, healthy fats, fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and vitamin E. Peanut butter is a popular peanut product that provides lasting energy for many athletes. Now let’s take a look at the fascinating peanut plant!
Images of the Peanut Plant
Peanut Seeds and Seedlings
Peanut seeds are contained inside a papery shell. The seeds are oval shaped and cream colored. When peanut seeds germinate, a small white shoot emerges from the seed. As the seedling grows, two rounded green leaves unfurl. Young peanut seedlings look similar to bean sprouts at this stage.
Peanut seeds send up their first shoots and leaves Image credit Pexels
Growing Peanut Plants
Once seedlings establish their root system, the plant begins growing quickly. The stem elongates and leaves continue to emerge. The leaves are opposite, meaning they grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. The leaves are oval shaped with pointed tips.
Young peanut plants grow stems and leaves. Image credit: Pexels
As the plant matures, the stems branch out, creating a low spreading bush about 1-2 feet tall. White to yellow pea-like flowers begin to bloom. These self-pollinating flowers will eventually develop into peanuts.
Peanut Flowers and Pods
The peanut flowers have a specialized structure called a hypanthium. After pollination occurs, this structure elongates into a stalk called a peg. The peg grows down and penetrates the soil. At the tip of the peg, the fertilized ovary begins to swell, forming the peanut pod. This is why peanuts form underground, unique from most other legumes.
Peanut flowers will form into pegs that grow into the soil. Image credit: Pexels
The peanut shells develop from the ovary wall and the kernels grow from the fertilized ovules. Interestingly, a single plant can produce over 40 pegs and pods. Peanuts growing in clusters form the characteristic lumpy shape we recognize on uprooted plants.
Harvesting Peanuts
It takes about 120-150 days after planting for peanuts to reach full maturity. The leaves and stems begin to yellow as peanuts finish their growth cycle. When plants are dug up, the peanuts easily separate from the plant. The papery shells help protect the peanuts during harvesting.
Mature peanut plants ready for harvest. Image credit: Pexels
Peanuts are left to dry further before the shells are removed. After shelling, peanuts are ready to consume or process into peanut butter, oil, and other products. As you can see, it’s a fascinating process of how peanuts go from seed to pod!
Fun Facts About Peanuts
-
Peanut plants have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules. This allows them to grow in nitrogen deficient soils.
-
Peanuts are not actually nuts at all. They are a type of legume related to beans and lentils.
-
There are several types of peanuts including runner, Virginia, Spanish, and Valencia. Runner peanuts are the most popular for making peanut butter.
-
Peanut oil is one of the healthier oils because it contains high levels of monounsaturated fats.
-
Rotating peanuts in a crop cycle helps reduce plant disease and maintain soil nutrition.
-
Contrary to popular belief, most peanut allergies are not caused by contaminated shells but by the proteins contained inside peanuts.
Getting an up-close view of the fascinating peanut plant reveals how this unusual legume grows. From germination of the seed to downward growth of pods, peanuts have a unique production process. Images of the key growth stages give us a visual understanding of peanut’s development. So next time you enjoy peanut butter or roasted nuts, remember the underground origins of this amazing plant!
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/peanut-plant-profile-4797389-04-49643628bdc6451aa6af2843fb70a02d.jpg)
Where do peanuts grow?
The peanut plant is native to South America, where it was cultivated for thousands of years. Gradually the crop spread around the world and now peanuts are grown commercially in many countries where temperatures exceed 21֯C. China is the world’s largest producer of peanuts, producing over 18,000 tonnes in 2022, followed by India, Nigeria, and the USA. As well as being popular for snacking and for peanut butter, the nuts are pressed to extract peanut oil for cooking, ground to produce peanut flour, and added to animal feed.
Where to grow peanut plants[image id=”175904″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” align=”none” title=”Peanut plant ready to be planted out. Getty Images” alt=”Peanut plant ready to be planted out. Getty Images” classes=””] Peanut plant ready to be planted out. Getty Images
Peanut plants require warm temperatures and need a long growing season of at least 120 to 150 frost-free days to mature properly. Therefore, they are best suited to warmer regions in the UK, such as the southern parts of England and Wales. In colder regions, peanuts may struggle to produce a successful harvest due to the shorter growing season, however you can get around this by growing them in a conservatory or greenhouse.
Peanuts can be grown in the ground or in containers, depending on your preference and available space. If growing in the ground, choose a well-drained spot that gets plenty of sunlight. If your soil is heavy clay, lighten it first by adding plenty of compost or horticultural grit. Avoid areas prone to water logging, as peanuts do not tolerate waterlogged conditions. If growing in containers, make sure the containers are large enough to accommodate the pegging process, as the developing peanuts need space to grow underground.
How do peanuts grow? | Surprising Science
FAQ
Why is growing peanuts illegal in the US?
-
Historical Context:In the 1930s, the U.S. government implemented programs to regulate commodity crops like peanuts, tobacco, and others, using supply-limiting marketing quotas and price supports to stabilize prices and help farmers.
-
1949 Federal Licensing:In 1949, the U.S. Congress made it illegal to grow peanuts without a federal license, which was intended to limit federal spending.
-
Marketing Quota Program:The license system, or “poundage quotas,” was designed to create an artificial scarcity of peanuts and drive up prices.
-
Shift in Policy:Over time, the system became unstable, and in 2002, the Farm Act was passed, removing peanuts from the marketing quota program.
-
Current Regulations:While growing peanuts for personal consumption is not illegal, commercial growers need to obtain licenses and follow state-specific regulations.
-
Major Peanut Producing States:Six states, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, produce the majority of peanuts in the U.S.
How long does it take for a peanut plant to produce peanuts?
From planting to harvesting, the growing cycle of a peanut takes 4 to 5 months, depending on the type and variety. Sustainability of resources, communities and family are top priorities for USA peanut farmers. Learn about how peanuts grow and go from the farm to your pantry in our Journey of a Peanut Butter Jar series.
How to identify a peanut plant?
The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a tropical plant that originated in South America. It is a self-pollinating plant that looks like a yellow-flowered, low sweet pea bush growing slightly higher than 1 to 2 feet with a 3-foot spread.
How many pictures of peanut plant are there?
Browse 9,419 authentic peanut plant stock photos, high-res images, and pictures, or explore additional peanut plant drawing or peanut plant leaves stock images to find the right photo at the right size and resolution for your project. Traditional sweets for Brazilian Festa Junina. June party Assortment of nuts on rustic wood table.
How tall do peanut plants grow?
Let’s start with the visible part of the peanut plant, the section growing above ground. A peanut plant has a bushy growth habit, with multiple branches growing along the ground away from the central stem. The plants reach a height of about 1-2 feet tall and spread out about 3 feet wide
How many peanut crop photos are there?
Browse 629 peanut crop photos and images available, or search for peanut crop field to find more great photos and pictures.
What does a peanut plant look like?
It is a self-pollinating plant that looks like a yellow-flowered, low sweet pea bush growing slightly higher than 1 to 2 feet with a 3-foot spread. After the flowers wither, a flower stalk called a peg elongates and pushes the ovary or pistil of the flower into the soil to a depth of 1 or 2 inches. Is a peanut plant a tree or a bush?
What is a peanut plant?
The peanut plant is a legume that is grown for its edible seeds. It is native to South America, but is now grown in many parts of the world. Peanut plants are bushy, with green leaves and yellow flowers. The flowers produce pods that contain the peanuts. Peanuts are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. They are also a popular snack food.
How do peanut plants grow?
Peanut plants have a unique growth cycle that includes a vegetative phase, a flowering phase, and a podding phase. The pods contain the peanuts, which are the edible part of the plant. Peanuts are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. They can be eaten raw, roasted, or ground into peanut butter.