Arachis hypogaea PEANUT (plant)

Peanut is an annual plant from the Fabaceae family, native to Mexico in North America. Peanuts are cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions for their edible oilseed fruits.

The peanut plant grows very fast and has the unique characteristic of burying its own fruits underground.

Its yellow summer flowers attract many pollinating insects.

Its leaves are compound, consisting of several small leaflets (usually 3 to 5) attached to a central stem.

- Properties and Uses:

Peanuts are a major food resource consumed in many forms worldwide. They are frequently found whole, roasted, and salted as a snack, but they are primarily processed into peanut butter, a protein-rich staple food. In West African and Asian cuisines, they serve as a base for creamy sauces and savory stews, bringing a unique texture and woody flavor to meat or vegetable dishes.

Oil extraction represents one of the most important industrial uses of this plant. Peanut oil is particularly prized for frying due to its high smoke point, meaning it remains stable at very high temperatures without breaking down. At the same time, the nutrient-rich press cakes resulting from this extraction are recycled as protein supplements for livestock feed, thereby limiting waste within the production chain.

Beyond human and animal nutrition, peanuts find varied applications in the industrial and cosmetic sectors. The oil is integrated into the manufacturing of soaps, shampoos, and moisturizing creams for its softening properties. Furthermore, peanut shells are not useless: they are often ground to serve as biomass fuel, animal bedding, or even biodegradable packaging material, illustrating a full utilization of the plant.

- Cultivation and Planting:

• Plant the peanut plant in a 5-liter pot or directly in the ground, making sure it is level with the plant's collar (base).
• Use a well-draining substrate such as potting soil or good compost.
• Water copiously at the base of the plant.
• Choose a full-sun location.

- Soil and Substrate:

The plant requires a very well-draining soil made of sand and potting soil to prevent its root system from rotting.

- Exposure and Light:

Due to its Mexican origin, it grows best in the sun. Prioritize a very sunny location. If you purchase the plant during the summer, it is recommended to acclimate it before full exposure to UV rays.

- Propagation:

Cuttings are possible but not recommended; it is much easier and faster to grow the plant from seed.

- Pests and Diseases:

The most common pests are nematodes, which are tiny microscopic worms that attack the plant's roots. The most common fungi that infect peanut plants are powdery mildew and rust.