Peanuts, Arachishypogaea L., originated in South America, but were first introduced into Africa and then brought from there to North America along with the alternate common name of goober pea. Peanuts are not true nuts, but are instead legumes thus more like a pea. A unique aspect of peanuts plants is that the flower is above ground but it then buries the fruiting structure thus planting its on seed. To be able to do this the soil needs to be loose thus sandy soil it the best. Peanuts would be perennials in a frost free climate, but in most cases the plants are uprooted to harvest the seed pods.
Peanuts are infamous for producing allergic reactions that can occur with minute traces of peanut. Ironically tree nuts get a similar reputation, but other legumes don't. This lend some credence to the report that the the allergy only develops when peanuts are processed certain ways and that the allergen, a protein can even be eliminated from peanut oil through a refining process. Other problems with peanuts include a fungus that produces a carcinogen, and a choking hazard especially if food is not chewed well such as with small children that are still cutting teeth thus appear to absorb nutrients through their chin considering that is seems like that is were most of the food seems to go.
In Alabama the history of peanuts is inextricably tied to the research of George Washington Carver at the Tuskegee Institute. The most notable accomplishment was to promote growing peanuts rather than cotton due to the ability of peanuts to fix nitrogen and improve the soil unlike cotton that had after years of cultivation had depleted the soil thus the yields were decreasing besides the almost simultaneous spread of the boll weevil. The most unfortunate part is that most of his reputed discoveries are apparently lost due his reported failure to document the procedures, formulas, etc., thus the greater legacy is likely to be the testimony of his faith and frugality.
The biggest peanut I have ever seen was reportedly came from a plant growing next to a volunteer cannabis, , plant. The shell was comparable in size to the world record of about 4.75" at the time. Such a beneficial plant association has also reportedly been researched and confirmed, but it is unlikely that it would be legal. This would be just another reason to modify the drug laws so that possession is decriminalized thus allowing any legitimate uses so insulin dependent diabetics are not harassed for possessing paraphernalia, but the unauthorized distribution and the consequences of use are more severely punished.
