caracolera

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• forage peanut
• pinto peanut

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and is a member of the Fabaceae family. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Arachis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning several diverse continents and oceanic regions. In the Indian Subcontinent, its presence can be noted specifically in Sri Lanka. Moving across the Pacific, it is found in the North-Central region, particularly in Hawaii, as well as in Australia within Queensland. Its reach extends into the Americas, where it grows in Central America, specifically in Honduras. Finally, its habitat includes parts of Northern South America, such as Venezuela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Arachis pintoi is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse environmental settings, ranging from disturbed anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) to more natural landscapes such as floodplains (Campo de Várzea), open fields (Campo Limpo), and the Cerrado biome (latu sensu). It is also frequently found in riparian environments, including both coastal forests (Floresta Ciliar) and gallery forests (Floresta de Galeria). This species exhibits a specific altitudinal distribution, with an average elevation of approximately 300 meters above mean sea level (m AMSL), allowing it to adapt to the varied soil and moisture conditions present within these specific ecosystems.

Elevational range mean:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Várzea, Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Arachis pintoi is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons through a robust vegetative growth habit. As a long-lived plant, it establishes a dense, creeping groundcover facilitated by its stoloniferous growth pattern, which enables the plant to spread horizontally and colonize large areas. This perennial lifecycle ensures that once the plant is established, it can maintain a continuous presence in its habitat, often outcompeting annuals and biennials through its ability to regrow from rhizomes or stolons after periods of stress. The plant's longevity is supported by its ability to form a stable, living mat that can endure varying environmental conditions, contributing to long-term soil stability and nutrient cycling within its ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Arachis pintoi is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a low-growing forb. It maintains a relatively diminutive stature with a mean plant height of approximately 0.2 m. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor semi-aquatic, and it does not exhibit any epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly grounded. The plant is independent in its nutritional requirements, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of its structural habit, it is categorized as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or vine, spreading across the ground through its herbaceous, non-woody stems.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Arachis pintoi is characterized by a highly efficient symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, functioning primarily as a nitrogen fixer. Through the formation of specialized root nodules, the plant facilitates the biological nitrogen fixation process, wherein atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonia, thereby enhancing soil fertility and reducing the necessity for synthetic inputs. This metabolic capability is integrated into its vigorous growth patterns, supporting dense stoloniferous spreading and high photosynthetic activity. The plant exhibits robust physiological resilience, utilizing its nitrogen-fixing capacity to maintain high protein content in its tissues and sustain continuous vegetative expansion across various soil types.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Arachis pintoi has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CA, MG, p-.

CA

1. Journal of animal science

MG

1. Journal of animal science

p-

1. Journal of animal science