The peanut, or Arachis hypogaea, is a special kind of legume that is used in many different ways in cooking around the world. Understanding the anatomy and functions of the peanut plant is crucial for agriculturalists, botanists, and food scientists alike. This article talks about the different parts of the peanut plant and explains what they do and how important they are to the plant’s life cycle and productivity.
The peanut plant has unique growth habits that differ from most other crops, Its flowers form above ground while the fruit develops underground Understanding the various parts of the peanut plant and its stages of development can help farmers and gardeners provide proper care for a healthy harvest,
In this guide. we will cover
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The major structures and functions of peanut plant parts
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The life cycle and growth timeline of a peanut plant
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Key steps in the peanut growth process
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How peanuts develop and mature underground
Main Parts and Functions
The main structures of the peanut plant include:
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Leaves: Oval-shaped alternate leaves up to 12 inches long convert sunlight into food via photosynthesis.
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Stems: Primary stems grow erect up to 18 inches tall. Lateral branches trail along the ground up to 6 feet.
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Flowers: Small yellow flowers with red veining form at the base of leaves. Peanut flowers self-pollinate.
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Roots: A central taproot anchors the plant while lateral roots form nodules that fix nitrogen.
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Pods and Seeds: The ovary of the flower stretches into a pod containing 1-4 seeds (peanuts) that develops underground.
The Peanut Plant Life Cycle
Peanuts are annual plants with a 4-5 month growing time from planting to harvest. Here are the key stages:
1. Germination
Seeds are sown 1-2 inches deep in soil. They absorb water and sprout in 5-10 days.
2. Emergence
Seedlings emerge above ground about 2 weeks after planting. Stems and leaves grow rapidly.
3. Flowering
Flowers appear at the lower portion of the main and lateral stems around 4 weeks after emergence.
4. Pegging & Pod Development
Flowers pollinate themselves, then the fertilized ovary extends into a stem-like “peg” that grows down into the soil. There, the peg tip enlarges into the peanut pod and seeds. Pods reach full size in about 2 months.
5. Maturation
Inside the pods, peanuts grow to maturity. Their green inner shell changes to a brown seed coat.
6. Harvest
After 4-5 months, mature peanut plants are dug up and pods are removed for drying and curing. Plants are then incorporated back into the soil.
Underground Pod Development
One of the most unique aspects of the peanut plant is its unusual underground fruit formation. Here’s how it happens:
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After self-pollination, the flower’s ovary lengthens into a narrow “peg” that extends down towards the ground.
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The peg grows 2-6 inches long, then burrows horizontally into the soil.
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The tip of the peg begins swelling into the peanut pod shell that contains 1-4 seeds (peanuts).
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The pods rapidly expand to full size underground in about 60 days after flowering.
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Inside the shells, the peanuts continue maturing and growing to fill the pods.
This unusual process means peanut flowers above ground end up producing the edible seeds below ground. Understanding the parts of the peanut plant helps growers ensure pods can properly penetrate the soil and expand underground. With the right conditions, those tiny flowers give way to a bountiful peanut harvest.
Flowers: The Beginning of Reproduction
Peanut flowers are bright yellow and typically self-pollinating. Once the flower is pollinated, an interesting process called geocarpy starts. The ovary of the flower gets longer and shapes into a peg that digs into the ground, where the peanut will grow.
- Self-pollination: Flowers contain both male and female parts, promoting self-fertilization.
- Geocarpy: The unique reproductive strategy where the fruit develops underground.
- The flower has a calyx, stamens, a pistil, and a corolla.
Root System: The Foundation of Nutrient Uptake
The peanut plant’s roots are fibrous, made up of a bunch of thin roots that spread out in the ground. This network is essential for anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in the roots and change nitrogen in the air into a form that plants can use. This also makes the soil better.
- Nodulation: Root nodules house symbiotic bacteria that fix nitrogen.
- Absorption of water: Small root hairs make the surface area for taking in water bigger.
- Nutrient uptake: Roots absorb essential minerals like phosphorus and potassium.
How do peanuts grow? | Natural History Museum
FAQ
What are the parts of a peanut plant?
What is the stem of a peanut plant called?
What is a peg on a peanut plant?
What is a peg in a peanut plant?
“Pegging” is a Unique Feature. This budding ovary is called a “peg.” The peg enlarges and grows down and away from the plant forming a small stem which extends to the soil. The peanut embryo is in the tip of the peg, which penetrates the soil. The embryo turns horizontal to the soil surface and begins to mature taking the form of a peanut.
What makes a peanut plant unique?
The peanut plant is unique because its flowers grow aboveground, yet the pods containing the seeds develop in the soil. The yellow, pea-like blossoms are self-pollinating. Once fertilized, the delicate petals fall away. The stalks (pegs) just under the ovaries then elongate and bend toward the earth, growing into the soil.
How to plant peanuts in a container?
If you want to plant peanuts in a container, you must use self-draining planters with the specifications mentioned earlier. Fill the planters 2/3 to 3/4 full with pre-moistened potting soil to give the roots enough room to grow. Dig a hole where you can place the peanuts and then cover them completely with soil.
Do Peanuts grow on trees?
Many people are surprised to learn that peanuts grow beneath the soil and do not grow on trees like pecans or walnuts. Below you’ll discover how peanuts grow, from preparing the soil for planting to the peanut harvesting process. First, Farmers Plant the Seeds.
