The fruit of a leguminous plant growing in warm countries-also called ground nut and earth nut. The plant is a trailing vine, with small yellow flowers. . After the flowers fall the stem lengthens, bends downward, and the seed-pod on its end forces itself into the ground, where it ripens. Peanuts are raised in immense quantities in western Africa, South America, and the southern United States. They are used for food, and yield an oil resembling olive oil.