Diagram and Key Features of Peanut (Groundnut) Plant for Exams
Welcome to the fascinating world of the peanut plant, one of nature’s trickiest and tastiest legumes! Ever wondered how peanuts end up under the ground, not on the plant like other beans? Join us to explore how the peanut plant grows, what makes it special, and why both farmers and children love it. You’ll discover simple plant facts, fun ways to remember its parts, and even test your knowledge at the end. Ready, set, dig in!
Meet the Amazing Peanut Plant!
Say Hello to Arachis hypogaea
The peanut plant (scientific name: Arachis hypogaea) is part of the Fabaceae family, the same group as peas and beans. This plant is called "groundnut" in many places because its seeds, which we eat as peanuts, actually grow underground! Peanuts love warm, tropical places like South America and India, and that’s why you’ll often see groundnut farms where it’s sunny and slightly moist.
Where Do Peanut Plants Live?
Peanut plants prefer sandy, well-drained soil where their roots can spread and it’s easy for their pods to wiggle down under the ground. You can commonly spot them in fields beside crops like cotton or maize — they’re great friends with other farm plants!
Peek Inside: Parts of a Peanut Plant
Let’s Break Down the Plant’s Body
Every part of the peanut plant does a special job. Here’s a simple look at the main sections:
- Roots: Deep and sturdy, with little bumps called nodules that help gather nitrogen from the air.
- Stems: Thin and spread sideways, hugging the ground and sending out special pegs after the plant flowers.
- Leaves: Green, feathery, and made up of four little leaflets—perfect for catching sunlight.
- Flowers: Bright yellow, shaped like butterflies (that’s called “papilionaceous” in science!), and bloom close to the bottom of the plant.
- Fruits (Pods): These are the famous peanuts! But unlike beans, they grow underground thanks to a trick called geocarpy.
Root Nodules: The Tiny Fertilizer Factories
On the roots, you’ll spot small bumps called nodules. These house friendly bacteria, called Rhizobium, that help the plant grab nitrogen from the air. This gives the soil a nutrient boost, which is why peanuts are superstars in crop rotation!
How Peanut Plants Grow: Earthy Secrets Revealed
From Flower to Underground Treasure
Here’s where the peanut plant stands out. After the yellow flowers are pollinated, a bit of the plant called a peg grows downwards, pushing into the soil. The fruit—the peanut pod—grows and matures safely under the ground. This sneaky move is called geocarpic fruiting and helps protect seeds from animals and strong sunlight.
Peanut Seeds: Not True Nuts!
Even though “nut” is in their name, peanuts aren’t real nuts. They’re legumes, just like beans. Their pods have two to four seeds inside and are covered by a thin, papery shell.
What’s Special About Its Family?
Like its cousin the soybean, the peanut plant belongs to the Fabaceae (or legume) family. But only the peanut likes to hide its seeds underground!
People Love Peanuts: Here’s Why!
More Than Just a Snack
- Yummy and Nutritious: Peanuts are packed with protein, healthy oils, vitamins, and minerals.
- Cooking Hero: Peanut oil is used to fry, bake, and cook all sorts of foods.
- Helps Farmers: By fixing nitrogen in the soil, peanut plants help next season’s crops grow better with less fertilizer.
- Animal Friend: The leftover “cake” from making oil is used as animal feed.
That’s why peanuts are found in Indian snacks, peanut butter, sweet treats, and even fancy dishes across the world.
Want More Fun Plant Facts?
Explorethe botanical name of groundnut with the Vedantu team for child-friendly science secrets and smart memory tools.
Peanut vs. Soybean – Spot the Difference!
Ever mixed up the peanut with the soybean? Here’s an easy table to help you tell them apart:
| Feature | Peanut | Soybean |
|---|---|---|
| Where the Seeds Grow | Underground | Above ground |
| Oil Content | High (about 40–50%) | Lower (~20%) |
| What We Eat Most | Seeds (peanuts), oil, snacks | Seeds, tofu, oil, animal feed |
Quick Facts Table: Peanut Plant
| Feature | What It Means | Fun to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arachis hypogaea | Peanuts are not ‘nuts’ at all! |
| Family | Fabaceae (Legume family) | Same family as peas and beans |
| Fruit Type | Pod (legume), grows underground | Called “geocarpic” |
| Special Trick | Root nodules make fertilizer | Good for the farm! |
Why Do Peanut Pods Grow Down, Not Up?
Nature is creative! Instead of growing their fruits in the open, the peanut plant pushes them under the soil using a peg. This helps protect the seeds from hungry animals, harsh sunlight, and even unexpected rain. That’s why farmers love the peanut’s secret underground pods!
Try This: Example Question and Fun Fact
Q: What kind of fruit does the peanut plant make?
A: The peanut plant makes a pod, also called a legume. What’s unique is this pod matures underground, unlike peas or beans.
Fun Fact: Because peanut plants fix nitrogen in the soil, farmers use them in crop rotation to help other plants like cotton or wheat grow stronger!
Practice Time! Can You Answer These?
- What family does the peanut plant belong to?
- Why do peanuts grow underground?
- What is the job of root nodules?
- How can you tell a peanut plant from a soybean plant?
Don’t Get Tricked: Common Peanut Mix-Ups
- Peanuts are not nuts! They belong to the legume family, not the real nut group like almonds or walnuts.
- Podding power: Only peanut pods grow under the soil, while most other legumes hang above ground.
- Oil content: Peanuts have way more oil than many other pulses you eat every day.
Time to Wrap Up Our Peanut Adventure!
The peanut plant is one of the most interesting and helpful members of the Fabaceae family. With its clever underground pods, tasty seeds, and soil-fixing powers, it helps both people and the planet. Next time you see peanuts or taste peanut butter, remember all the plant science and fun facts you’ve learned today! For more smart tips, tricks, and cool diagrams, keep exploring biology topics with Vedantu.
FAQs on Peanut Plant – Structure, Classification, and Uses for Biology Students
1. What is the scientific name of peanut?
The scientific name of peanut is Arachis hypogaea. This leguminous plant is important in NEET, CBSE, and ICSE syllabi due to its economic and ecological significance. Key details include:
- Genus: Arachis
- Species: hypogaea
- Common name: Groundnut
- Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
2. Is peanut a nut or legume?
Peanut is botanically classified as a legume, not a true nut. It develops inside a pod like other members of the Fabaceae family.
- Legume: Fruit develops in a pod containing several seeds.
- Not a nut: True nuts (like almonds/chestnuts) develop as a single seed within a hard shell above ground, while peanuts mature underground.
- This distinction is important for exam questions on plant classification.
3. How does a peanut plant grow?
The peanut plant grows as a low, spreading legume with underground fruit development. Key steps include:
- Seeds germinate to form a taproot and leafy stems.
- Pinnate compound leaves branch alternately along the stem.
- Yellow papilionaceous flowers arise close to the ground.
- After fertilization, a ‘peg’ pushes the developing ovary into the soil, leading to geocarpic pod formation.
- Pots (peanuts) mature under the soil, containing edible seeds.
4. What is the economic importance of peanut?
Peanut is economically significant as an oilseed, food, and soil-enriching legume. Its uses for students include:
- Edible oil: Seeds contain 40–50% oil used for cooking and industry.
- Nutritional value: High in protein (25–30%), vitamins, and minerals.
- By-products serve as animal feed (peanut cake).
- Nitrogen fixation: Root nodules improve soil fertility for crop rotation.
5. What is geocarpy in peanut plants?
Geocarpy in peanut plants means their fruits develop underground, not above ground.
- After pollination, the fertilized ovary forms a peg that bends down and buries itself into the soil.
- The peanut pod matures below the surface, protecting seeds from predation and environmental stress.
- This adaptation is rare and is a key feature for NEET/CBSE plant morphology questions.
6. What is the function of root nodules in peanuts?
Root nodules in peanuts house Rhizobium bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen. This benefits both the peanut plant and the soil:
- Nitrogen fixation: Converts atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants.
- Improves soil fertility, reducing fertilizer needs in crop rotations.
- This symbiotic relationship is important for agricultural and exam purposes.
7. How can you distinguish peanut from other oilseeds or pulses in exams?
Peanut can be distinguished by its geocarpic pod and high oil content. For exam recall, note:
- Peanut (Arachis hypogaea): Pod matures underground (geocarpy).
- Soybean/others: Pods develop above ground.
- Peanut’s oil content is 40–50%; higher than many pulses.
- Belongs to Fabaceae; typical papilionaceous flowers, root nodules present.
8. What are the uses of peanut plant in agriculture?
Peanut is used in agriculture for soil enrichment and crop rotation. Key uses include:
- As green manure, it improves soil structure and fertility.
- Fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules with Rhizobium bacteria.
- Breaks pest cycles and enhances yield of subsequent crops.
- Its harvested seeds serve as a major oil and protein source.
9. What is the structure of a peanut fruit and seed?
The peanut fruit is a pod (legume) with edible seeds called peanuts:
- Pod: Hard, wrinkled outer shell (pericarp), typically containing 2–4 seeds.
- Seeds: Encased in a thin seed coat (testa), rich in oil and protein.
- Exam diagrams: Label the fruit shell, seed, cotyledons, and attachment point for full marks.
10. What is the classification of peanut plant in the plant kingdom?
The peanut plant is classified as:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
- Genus: Arachis
- Species: hypogaea
11. What are the main differences between peanut and soybean?
The main differences between peanut and soybean include fruit development, oil content, and usage:
- Peanut: Underground pod formation (geocarpic), 40–50% oil, mainly for edible oil and food.
- Soybean: Above-ground pod, ~20% oil, higher protein, used for oil, food, and animal feed.
- Both have root nodules and belong to Fabaceae, but peanut’s underground fruit is unique.
12. What types of questions are asked about peanut plant in NEET and Board exams?
Common peanut plant questions in NEET/Boards focus on classification, structure, uses, and diagrams:
- Scientific name, family, and classification of peanut.
- Difference between peanut and other oilseeds.
- Functions of root nodules and nitrogen fixation.
- Labelled diagrams of the plant, fruit, or root nodule.
- Economic importance for farmers and in crop rotation.
