If you’ve ever wondered what do peanut plants look like, you might be surprised by their humble and somewhat unusual appearance. Unlike the tree-grown nuts you might imagine, the peanut plant is a low-growing, leafy annual with a fascinating secret happening below the soil.
This guide will give you a clear, visual tour of the peanut plant from its sunny yellow flowers to its hidden underground pods. By the end, you’ll be able to spot one in a garden or field with confidence.
What Do Peanut Plants Look Like
At first glance, a peanut plant resembles many other leafy legumes. It grows as a small bush, or “hill,” typically reaching between 1 and 1.5 feet in height and spreading about 3 feet wide. The overall shape is oval or rounded, creating a dense, green mound.
The plant’s life cycle and structure are what make it truly special. Every part, from leaf to root, has distinct features that help it produce its famous fruit.
The Foliage: Leaves and Stems
The above-ground portion of the plant is all about photosynthesis. The stems are slightly hairy and sturdy, branching out close to the soil to form the bush.
The leaves are compound, arranged alternately on the stem. Each leaf is comprised of four oval leaflets (two opposite pairs). This is known as a tetrafoliolate leaf. The leaflets are bright green, smooth-edged, and about 1 to 2 inches long. They close up at night, a behavior called nyctinasty.
The Flowers: Where It All Begins
Small, butter-yellow flowers appear along the lower parts of the stem. They are about the size of a pea blossom and have a classic pea-like shape. Each flower lasts for just one day.
Here is the critical visual event that sets peanuts apart:
1. After the flower is pollinated (it often self-pollinates before it even opens), the petals wilt.
2. A small stalk at the base of the ovary, called a “peg,” begins to grow.
3. This peg elongates and, driven by geotropism, bends down toward the soil.
4. The peg literally pushes itself into the ground, taking the fertilized ovary with it.
If the peg cannot reach the soil within a few days, it will fail to develop.
The Root System and “Fruit”
Beneath the surface is where the magic happens. The plant has a primary taproot with a network of finer roots. But the unique structures are the pegs.
Once a peg penetrates the soil, it orientates itself horizontally. The tip then swells and develops into the familiar peanut pod. The pod is a wrinkled, fibrous shell containing 1 to 4 seeds (the peanuts themselves). The entire pod formation happens 1 to 3 inches underground.
Growth Stages and Changing Looks
A peanut plant’s appearance changes significantly over its growing season (about 100-130 days frost-free).
Seedling Stage (First 40 Days)
The young plant focuses on vegetative growth. You’ll see a central stem with the distinctive four-leaflet sets unfurling. It looks like a small, leafy clump.
Flowering and Pegging (Next 40 Days)
This is the most dynamic phase. The plant is now a full, bushy mound covered in green leaves. The yellow flowers bloom near the base, followed by the eerie sight of the pegs searching for and entering the soil. The plant is at its most lush.
Pod Development and Maturation (Final 30-40 Days)
Above ground, the plant slows its growth. Leaves may start to show a slight yellowing, especially on older growth. The real action is underground as the pods fill out and mature. At harvest time, the entire plant is often yellowed and looks spent.
How to Identify a Peanut Plant in Your Garden
Use this quick visual checklist to confirm you’re looking at a peanut plant:
* Low, bushy form: It won’t grow tall like a corn stalk.
* Four-leaflet leaves: Look for the set of four smooth, oval leaflets per leaf stem.
* Small yellow flowers: Pea-like flowers low on the plant.
* Presence of pegs: After flowering, look for the needle-like pegs arching toward the soil.
* Legume family traits: If you gently pull up a plant, you should see nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots (little white or pink bumps).
Common Look-Alikes and How to Tell Them Apart
Several plants can be confused with young peanut plants.
* Clover: Some clovers have three leaflets, but four-leaf clover variants can look similar. Clover has a different growth habit and flower.
* Other Legumes: Young soybean or cowpea plants can have a similar leaf structure. Check the flowers and growth pattern as they mature.
* Weeds: Certain broadleaf weeds may have a passing resemblance in the seedling stage. The emergence of pegs is the definitive giveaway.
Growing Your Own for Better Identification
The best way to learn what peanut plants look like is to grow them yourself. They need loose, sandy soil and a long, warm growing season.
Here are the basic steps:
1. Plant raw, uncooked peanuts (seed peanuts are best) after the last frost.
2. Choose a sunny spot and sow them 1-2 inches deep, about 10 inches apart.
3. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and pegging.
4. Avoid compacting the soil around the plants; the pegs need easy entry.
5. When leaves yellow in late summer or fall, carefully dig up a test plant to check pod maturity.
Harvest involves gently lifting the entire plant, shaking off soil, and hanging it to dry for several weeks. The dried pods are then ready for shelling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do peanuts grow on trees or underground?
A: Peanuts grow underground. The pods develop from pegs that bury themselves in the soil, making them unique among “nuts” (they are actually legumes).
Q: What does the peanut flower look like?
A: The flower is small, about 1/2 inch wide, with a bright yellow color and a shape typical of pea family flowers. It’s not very showy and is often hidden in the foliage.
Q: How tall do the plants get?
A: Most common garden varieties stay quite short, between 12 and 18 inches tall, but they can spread outwards to about 3 feet.
Q: Can I grow peanuts from a grocery store nut?
A: You can try, but it’s not always succesful. Raw, uncooked peanuts might work, but they are often treated for storage and may not sprout. Specially sold seed peanuts are more reliable.
Q: What does a ripe peanut plant look like?
A: At maturity, the plant signals it’s ready by yellowing and looking somewhat wilted, as if the growing season has taken it’s toll. The pods underground will have a veined, hardened shell.
Q: Are the leaves of a peanut plant edible?
A: While not toxic, the foliage is not typically consumed. The plant is grown primary for its seed pods. Animals may graze on the hay after harvest.
Understanding the visual stages of the peanut plant, from its cheerful yellow flowers to its determined soil-penetrating pegs, gives you a real appreciation for this fascinating crop. Next time you see a low, bushy plant with four-part leaves, you’ll know to look closer for the signs of peanuts developing quietly beneath your feet.