Pinto peanut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinto peanut |
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| Arachis pintoi foliage and flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Arachis
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| Species: |
pintoi
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The Arachis pintoi, also known as the Pinto peanut, is a special plant that grows naturally in Brazil. It's a type of forage plant, which means it's grown mainly to be eaten by animals like cows. You can find it in the Cerrado, a large grassland area in Brazil, especially near the upper parts of the São Francisco and Jequitinhonha rivers.
This plant was named after a Brazilian botanist named Geraldo Pinto. He was the first person to collect this plant in 1954 and realized it could be very useful as animal food. Later, in 1994, two scientists, A. Krapovickas and W. Gregory, officially described the species.
Contents
Why the Pinto Peanut is Important
The Pinto peanut is a wild plant that is related to the regular peanut we eat. It has become very important for improving pastures where animals graze in tropical areas.
How it Grows
This plant has a special way of growing. It spreads out along the ground using stems called stolons, which are like runners. It also makes its seeds underground, which is a bit unusual.
Great Food for Animals
The Pinto peanut is known for being a very good food source for grazing animals like cows, sheep, and goats. These animals, called ruminants, enjoy eating it. It provides them with high-quality nutrition.
Where it is Used Today
Because of its great qualities, the Pinto peanut is now used widely in tropical farming systems. The most common type, or cultivar, was first introduced in Australia in 1989. It was called 'Amarillo'. Later, in 1992, it was released in Colombia as 'Mani Forrajero Perenne'. This useful plant has been shared around many tropical regions.
