The Arachis genus contains 69 species in 11 sections; likely self-fertilization and low seed dispersal created numerous locally adapted species (Krapovickas and Gregory 1994). Seed dispersal of A. hypogaea is hampered by the below-ground fruits (geocarpic), and was naturally dispersed along rivers or by animal excavation (Krapovikas and Gregory
1994). Dispersal over longer distances has been from human activity (anthropogenic) for crop production (Bertioli et al. 2011).

Arachis hypogaea and the closely related wild species A. monticola Krapov. & Rigoni are believed to be hybrids of A. duranensis Krapov. & W.C. Greg. and A. ipaënsis Krapov. & W.C. Greg (Stalker et al. 2016). A. hypogaea primarily reproduces by self-pollination (autogamy) and has developed locally adapted subspecies and varieties (Bertioli et al. 2011; Stalker et al. 2016). A. hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea with small pods and a spreading habit was introduced in the United States from Africa or the Caribbean as ‘Virginia’ or ‘Runner’ (Hammons 1973; Stalker et al. 2016).

The 3-seeded variety A. hypogaea subsp. hypogaea var. hirsuta J. Kohler called ‘Peruvian runner’ was transported across the Pacific into Asian countries (Hammons et al. 2016; Stalker et al. 2016). Varieties of the Brazilian 2-seeded subspecies, A. hypogaea subsp. fastigiata Waldron, were first brought to Spain and propagated as ‘Valencia’ (A. hypogaea subsp. fastigiata Waldron var. fastigiata (Waldron) Krapov. & W.C. Greg.) and ‘Spanish’ (A. hypogaea subsp. fastigiata (Waldron) var. vulgaris Harz varieties before dissemination back into the Americas (Hammons et al. 2016; Stalker et al. 2016).

Arachis hypogaea was first grown in pre-contact Central and South America, originating in present northern Argentina and Bolivia or northern Peru (Bertioli et al. 2011; Hammons et al. 2016). The crop was traded by indigenous Americans throughout Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, and the West Indies (Hammons 1973; Bertioli et al. 2011). A. hypogaea was introduced to Spain, India, China, Indonesia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands during the post-Columbian era (Hammons 1973; Bertioli et al. 2011). The crop was transported back from Africa to tropical America and the southern United States as a sustenance crop during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (Hammons 1973; Hammons et al. 2016).

A. hypogaea was historically considered a food of lower classes and avoided by colonists (Bertioli et al. 2011; Hammonds et al. 2016). In the late 19th century, A. hypogaea was promoted at local events as a valuable replacement crop for Gossypium hirsutum L. (cotton) fields decimated by Anthonomus grandis (boll weevil) (Hammonds et al. 2016). George Washington Carver in the United States publicized the benefits of A. hypogaea during the early 20th century, and created more than 300 uses for the crop (Hammonds et al. 2016).

A. hypogaea seeds are nutritionally dense, containing approximately 49% oils, 26% protein and 16% carbohydrates (Davis and Dean 2016). A. hypogaea oil was the first vegetable oil that successfully fueled a diesel engine (Hammons et al. 2016). The seed proteins are also the causative agent in severe allergic reactions associated with this species (Davis and Dean 2016).