68 



THE PEANUT— THE UNPREDICTABLE LEGUME 



productive. Nodes of the n + 1 laterals often continuously reproductive 

 for eight or more nodes. Vegetative branches occasional, rarely more 

 frequent on the n + 1 laterals and main stem axis. Highest order of vege- 

 tative branching, n + 2, frequently only n + 1. First two nodes of lateral 

 branches reproductive. Inflorescence sometimes branched. Leaves and 

 leaflets large. Upper internodes 30-35 mm. in length. Stems large, laterals 

 sometimes 7.5 mm. in diameter, coarse, mostly erect, occasionally lax; 

 frequently purple, but sometimes green. Fruits variable in size 2^6 cm. 

 long; 1-6 seeded, mostly 3-4 seeded. Shells variable, usually moderately 

 thick with only slightly raised venation ; sometimes thin with prominent 

 venation and beaked ; constrictions between the seeds slight, occasionally 

 more evident. Seeds variable, spherical or elongated, usually red or 

 purple-black, sometimes pink or flesh; 0.2 gm.-0.8 gm., usually about 

 0.5 gm. ; germinating immediately upon maturity. Highly susceptible to 

 cercospora leaf spot. 



Beattie (9) lists the following varieties grown commercially in the 



Figure 23. — An n + 1 order, cotyledonary lateral branch of one form of Valencia. 

 The n + 1 branch produces n + 2 reproductives at its lowest nodes, then 

 several n + 2 vegetatives, finally the upper nodes produce n-\- 2 reproductives. 

 All the nodes of the » -f- 2 vegetatives bear n + 3 reproductives which terminate 

 the branching system. 



