Peanut

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The peanut, or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), is a species in the legume or "bean" family (Fabaceae). The cultivated peanut was probably first domesticated in the valleys of Peru. It is an annual herbaceous plant growing 30 to 50 cm (0.98 to 1.6 ft) tall. The leaves are opposite, pinnate with four leaflets (two opposite pairs; no terminal leaflet), each leaflet 1 to 7 cm (⅜ to 2¾ in) long and 1 to 3 cm (⅜ to 1 inch) broad.

The flowers are a typical peaflower in shape, 2 to 4 cm (¾ to 1½ in) across, yellow with reddish veining. Hypogaea means "under the earth", after pollination, the flower stalk elongates causing it to bend until the ovary touches the ground. Continued stalk growth then pushes the ovary underground where the mature fruit develops into a legume pod, the peanut. Pods are 3 to 7 cm (1.2 to 2.8 in) long, containing 1 to 4 seeds.

Peanuts are known by many other local names such as earthnuts, ground nuts, goober peas, monkey nuts, pygmy nuts and pig nuts.

Ronald Weasley once suggested in 1993-1994 that his brother George would eat a handfull Cockroach Clusters if Ron told him it was peanuts.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Mentioned only)