The peanut, also known as the groundnut, and taxonomically classified as Arachis hypogaea, is a legume crop grown mainly for its edible seeds. The botanist Carl Linnaeus gave peanuts the specific epithet hypogaea, which means “under the earth”.
The peanut belongs to the botanical family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), commonly known as the legume, bean, or pea family. Like most other legumes, peanuts harbour symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules. The capacity to fix nitrogen means peanuts require less nitrogen-containing fertilizer and improve soil fertility, making them valuable in crop rotations. Malawi produced nearly 36,000 tons per annum during the 1960’s.
Stamps & Postal Products
1964 Definitive Series – 3d Groundnuts
