Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fernald Common Names: hog peanut, American hog-peanut, wild peanut Etymology: Amphicarpaea is Greek for "two-seeded," referring to the two types of seeds: above and below ground. Bracteata is Latin for “bearing bracts” (1, 3). Botanical synonyms: Glycine bracteata Linnaeus (2), Amphicarpaea monoica (L.) Ell., Falcata

Distinguished by: A. bracteata is clearly distinguished from Pueraria lobata by the leaflet size: Amphicarpaea bracteata leaflets are about 1.5 to 4 cm long, whereas P. lobata leaflets are 10-20cm. Strophostyles helvola bears a minute point at the tip of the leaflets and has umbellate inflorescences.

Plants of Amphicarpaea bracteata from the large subterranean seeds were much larger than those from the small aerial seeds, which made them more likely to produce aerial seeds (Trapp & Hendrix, 1988). Moreover, larger plants of A. bracteata are less subject to pathogen attack (Parker, 1986).

The middle leaflet is larger than the lateral 2, is up to 3 inches long and 2½ inches wide, and is long-stalked with the lateral leaflets stalkless or nearly so. Stems are quite hairy and lack tendrils, so entwines itself around other plants for support.

Amphicarpaea bracteata is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October.