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Arachis pintoi
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Common Name: | Yellow Peanut Plant, Pinto Peanut, Kacang Hias, Kacang-Kacangan |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 0.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Low herbaceous leguminous shrub. Spreads by rhizomes and creeping stolons that root at nodes to form a dense ground-hugging mat. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves pinnately-compound, each with 4 small oval leaflets that are pubescent on the lower surface. Leaves are shed during extended dry periods. |
| Flowers | Bright yellow, pea-shaped, produced on short axillary racemes. Free-blooming. |
| Fruit | Seedpods reticulated, with small brown seeds. Pod production not observed under local conditions |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Roots: Distinct taproot. Dense network of fibrous roots, up to 20cm long, with nodules that harbour nirogen-fixing bacteria. |
| Habitat | Occurs under open forests in native range. |
| Cultivation | Fast-growing. Prefers well-drained sites. Withstands short periods of seasonal flooding, but not permanently waterlogged clayey soils. Tolerant of infertile acidic soils. Very tolerant of high levels of aluminium and manganese in soils. Forms closed cover in 6 months, but prone to weed intrusion during the establishment period -- weed periodically if neccessary. Propagate by stem cuttings or seeds (if available). Plants grown from seeds tend to establish root system more quickly. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Arachis derived from Greek term for legume ('arakis'). Species epithet 'pintoi named after Portuguese explorer and colonial administrator of Africa, Alexandre Alberto da Rocha de Serpa Pinto (1846-1900), who joined military school at age 10, and was the first person to chart an accurate route between eastern and western Africa -- a feat for which he was awarded the Founder's Medal by the Royal Geographical Society (UK) in 1881. Despite the plant's common name, it does not produce peanuts. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Flowerbed / Border, Phytoremediation (Ground / Water Contaminant(s)), Groundcover, Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks | High levels of aluminum & manganese |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils, Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous, Runner / Stolon |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 388 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1684 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
