Arachis Hypogaea is the scientific name for the peanut plant, a legume widely cultivated for its edible seeds. This term can be substituted by the more commonly used name, peanut. Other synonyms for Arachis Hypogaea include groundnut, earthnut and monkey nut. Some regional or local names also exist, such as goober in Southern United States and pindar in India. The term peanut derives from the fact that the fruit is produced underground, resembling a nut, and has a characteristic aroma when it roasted. Whatever the name used, the peanut plant and its seeds have significant cultural, nutritional and economic importance around the world.