Peanuts are not actually nuts they are legumes

The name 'peanut' is botanically misleading—peanuts are legumes, members of the same family as peas, beans, and lentils. Unlike true nuts like almonds or walnuts which develop in tree shells, peanuts grow uniquely. After pollination, the flower stalk elongates downward, pushing the developing pod into soil where it matures underground. This geocarpic reproduction is the defining characteristic making peanuts legumes rather than nuts. Peanuts are grouped with tree nuts in culinary contexts because their nutritional profile more resembles nuts than other legumes. This classification exists for practical reasons—in food service and allergy contexts, peanuts and tree nuts are treated together for safety. The peanut plant originated in South America, was domesticated by indigenous peoples, and spread globally following European contact.