The peanut plant [Arachis hypogea] is a legume that is native to South America [it now grows in warm areas around the world].

The peanut plant grows to about about 60 cm tall. It has small yellow flowers [1-2 cm long]. The flowers bloom for only about half a day; the blossoms are self-pollinating. About 4 days later, a stem [also called a peg] will grow from the flower and head into the soil. At the end of each stem, the seed pods [peanuts in the shell] will grow. The peanut is an annual plant [it completes its life cycle in one year].

Grow a peanut plant: You can grow your own peanut plant by planting a raw peanut [these are sometimes found in grocery stores - do not buy the roasted ones, they will not grow]. Plant the entire peanut in the hull or just the seed [the peanut with the brown skin still on it] 1 to 2 inches deep in well-drained soil. Keep it moist and warm until it germinates [it should take about a week]. It takes about 3 months for peanuts to form. After digging up the mature plant, "cure" the plant [let it dry out -hang it up in a garage] for about a week. Then roast and eat the hulled nuts.