No, peanuts are not roots.
Understanding Peanut Growth
Peanuts are actually legumes, a type of fruit. They grow underground, but this is a unique aspect of their life cycle. The peanut plant flowers above ground, and after pollination, a peg-like structure (called a peduncle) develops from the flower and grows down into the soil. The peanut itself develops at the tip of this peduncle, underground. Therefore, the peanut is a fruit, not a root. The reference clearly states: "It is these pegs that grow peanuts, not the plant's roots."
Key Differences: Peanuts vs. Roots
- Peanuts: Develop from the flower, are a type of fruit (legume), contain seeds.
- Roots: Anchor the plant, absorb water and nutrients, generally do not produce fruit.
