Arachis hypogaea Seeds | Black Peanut
LATIN NAME: Arachis hypogaea
COMMON NAME: Black Peanut
Plant Profile
Black Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a dark-seeded form of the cultivated peanut, an annual legume of the pea family (Fabaceae) domesticated in South America. The plant is a low, bushy herb with trifoliate leaves and yellow pea-flowers whose fertilised stalks bend down and push the pods into the soil to ripen underground. Black-skinned peanut varieties are prized for their rich flavour and their anthocyanin-rich seed coats.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Arachis hypogaea ranges from the botany of the Arachis group to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. This research has helped drive renewed commercial interest in pigmented peanut varieties beyond conventional tan-skinned types. Its behaviour in gardens is well recorded, thanks to a long history in cultivation.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Black Peanut for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Its distinctive appearance also makes it a genuine conversation piece for gardeners growing an unusual peanut variety at home. A plant that has settled in will get along with only routine care.
The peanut is a protein-and-folate-rich legume whose skins carry resveratrol-family polyphenols; in Chinese folk practice peanut-skin tea is a gentle tonic, and peanut oil is among the finest frying oils.
Growing from Seed
Starting Black Peanut from seed is simple and satisfying. Sow seed into a loose, sandy, well-drained mix and keep it warm and consistently moist, since peanuts does best with steady warmth. Full sun suits this crop well, and remember that peanuts develop their pods underground after flowering, so loose, easily worked soil around base of plant supports good pod formation. Sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly into a loose, well-drained seed compost, water in gently, and keep the sowing in full sun with steady moisture. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Its long record of traditional use, described above, gives the plant a story beyond ornament. Black Peanut settles in quickly once it finds its footing. Moisture matters most while plants are young; established plants cope with far more.
Related Reading
More species in the same orbit as Black Peanut: