Arachis glabrata Benth.

Perennial Peanut; Grassnut

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

This species is grown in southern parts of Alabama and Georgia and throughout Florida for forage. It was first reported as naturalized in Alabama in 2012 (Keener). Perennial Peanut in an introduced member of the Bean family (Fabaceae). It is native to Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It has been widely planted in tropical and subtropical regions as a forage plant and for erosion control. It has also been used as a low growing ground cover. It has been reported as an escape in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Perennial Peanut was first collected as an escape in Alabama in 2011 in Baldwin County. Since that time it has been collected in two additional counties. Perennial Peanut is a mat forming rhizomatous perennial with a deep woody taproot. Stems are decumbent and radiate out from the crown. Stems are green in color and hollow or pithy. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, tetra-foliate, and glabrous or sparsely pubescent. Leaflets are linear to obovate in outline. Flowers are solitary, axillary, and long petiolate. Flowers are papilionaceous, and orange-yellow in color. The fruit is a 1 or 2 seeded legume. If pollinated, the flower bends towards the soil and the young fruit is pushed into the soil where it develops. Fruit set is rare in our plants. Perennial Peanut is available from some nurseries. It does not survive well north of the Montgomery area.--A. Diamond

This taxon has been treated as Arachis prostrata Bentham by various authors.

Not Native

<a href=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/59377137>Keener, B.R. 2012. Three non-native vascular plant species new to Alabama. Phytoneuron 2012-73: 1-3.</a>