Arachis glabrata (Perennial Peanut)

Native to eastern Bolivia, central and southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina, this low-growing perennial herb spreads through underground stems called rhizomes. It produces abundant yellow to orange flowers but sets few seeds, so new plantings are usually established from rhizome pieces. Its root nodules house nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Grown as an ornamental groundcover and erosion-control plant, it also provides nutritious hay and forage with a feeding value comparable to alfalfa. Established plants tolerate drought and regrow after grazing or frost damage. It is naturalized in the southeastern United States.