Description:
peanut is an annual herb that grows 30 to 50 cm. The leaves are opposite, pinnate with 4 leaflets, each 1 to 7 cm long and 1 to 3 cm broad. The flowers are a typical peaflower in shape, 2 to 4 cm across, yellow with reddish veining. After pollination, the fruit develops into a legume 3 to 7 cm long, containing 1 to 4 seeds, which forces its way underground to mature. The pods ripen 120 to 150 days after the seeds are planted. The pods will be unripe if the crop is harvested too early. If they are harvested late, the pods will snap off at the stalk, and will remain in the soil.

Origins and cultivation:
The cultivated peanut was probably first domesticated in the valleys of Peru. Archeologists have dated the oldest specimens to about 7,600 years found in Peru. Cultivation spread to as far as Mesoamerica and European traders later spread the plant worldwide. The legume gained Western popularity when it came to the United States from Africa. It had become popular in Africa after brought there from Brazil by the Portuguese around 1800.

Uses:
In Indian subcontinent, people savor the salted and roasted groundnuts as a snack. However, its major use in India is the extracted oil used in cooking. In the US, peanuts are used in candies, cakes, cookies, and other sweets. They are also enjoyed roasted and salted. Peanut butter is one of the most popular peanut-based foods in the US.