Family: Fabaceae
Arachis glabrata, commonly known as perennial peanut, is a low-growing, warm-season legume native to South America and is often used as a forage crop. Key features include its creeping growth habit, tetrafoliate leaves, and orange flowers. It is a perennial plant, meaning it can survive for multiple years, and it forms a dense ground cover. Due to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, perennial peanut can enhance soil fertility. In addition to its use as forage for livestock, perennial peanut is also utilized in landscaping and erosion control. It has been introduced in various regions as a sustainable alternative to traditional turf grasses, as it requires less water and fertilizer. Although it has become naturalized in some locations, it is not reported to have detrimental impacts where introduced.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability
- Thrives and spreads in regions with tropical climates
- Naturalized in the southeaster United States, but not reported as naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands to date.
- Reported as a pasture weed, but no negative impacts have been documented.
- Tolerates many soil types
- May form ground cover that may suppress or compete with other vegetation
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes, but seed set is low.
- Hybridizes with other Arachis species.
- May reach maturity in one growing season
- Seeds and rhizomes might be dispersed by water, and through intentional cultivation.
- Tolerates and resprouts after grazing and fire.
Low Risk Traits:
- No documented reports of negative impacts where cultivated.
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Highly palatable
- Non-toxic
- Limited seed set may reduce the risk of long distance or accidental dispersal.
- Herbicides may provide effective control
