Pintoi Ornamental Beans Cover Ground Effectively

 

Arachis pintoi is an ornamental bean. Arachis pintoi synonyms and common names include Pinto peanut, Forage peanut, Perennial peanut, Pintoi peanut, and Amarillo peanut. Other terms used in different languages are Maní Forrajero Plerenne (Spanish) and Amendoim Forrageiro (Portuguese). 

This tropical legume forms dense, low mats, typically growing to a height of 10 to 20 cm. Its leaves are arranged in four oval leaflets, and its flowers are pale yellow to lemon yellow, resembling small peanut blossoms.

See my high-resolution photos of Pintoi, as well as other plants, on Shutterstock.

Origin and Distribution:

Native to South America, specifically the Amazon Basin in Brazil, this plant has been introduced and cultivated in other tropical regions due to its adaptability.

Uses:

Arachis pintoi is used for a variety of purposes, including as a pasture grass, ground cover, and ornamental plant. As a ground cover, this plant can suppress weeds after 3-4 months of planting, even more effectively than herbicides. It can reduce erosion and maintain soil moisture. It is also used in some cultures for rituals and ceremonies, symbolizing hope and joy, and is considered a good luck charm.

As a legume plant, this ornamental beans have the ability to absorb nitrogen from the air and store nitrogen in the soil, which is beneficial for soil fertility.

General Growth:

This plant is a legume that propagates and forms shoots, which can form dense stretches. Similar to peanuts, after pollination, the flower stalk elongates and grows in the soil to produce underground fruit.

This plant likes sunlight, at least 60% per day. Soil must be moist but not soggy or well-drained.

It spreads by rhizomes or continuously growing horizontal underground stems that periodically send out lateral shoots and roots.

Pintoi can be propagated from seeds. But it is usually propagated by stem cuttings. Because the cuttings propagation method is more effective and faster than using seeds. The method is:

• Choose healthy stems that are not too young or too old.

• Cut a 10-15 cm stem with a sharp knife.

• Remove the leaves at the bottom of the cutting to reduce evaporation before roots develop.

• Plant the cutting in a moist, loose growing medium.

• Maintain the moisture of the growing medium and provide shade until the root grows. New leaves will usually appear.

• Transfer the cutting to a pot or larger area. 

If the plant is not yet dense, the area can sometimes be overwhelmed by other plants such as grass, weeds, moss, and others. Therefore, other plants that interfere with the growth need to be removed. If Pintoi is already dense, other plants will usually be outcompeted.

Care:

This plant is known for its toughness and easy maintenance. Water it once a week to keep the soil moist, not dry, but not soggy. It is tolerant of being trampled and does not require intensive pruning. It is suitable for areas between stepping stones on walkways or as a substitute for grass to cover the ground.