Final answer:
The peanut plant first appeared in South America and was spread worldwide by Spanish explorers and African cultures. Cultivation practices likely began with ancient gather-hunters who realized they could grow plants conveniently rather than solely relying on wild offerings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The origins of the peanut, often associated with the beloved peanut butter blossom, trace back to ancient times. The peanut plant probably originated in Brazil or Peru, evidenced by its presence in Inca graves to sustain the dead in the afterlife. Peanuts gained prominence when the Spanish explorers discovered them in the New World, cultivating them as far north as Mexico. Furthermore, these explorers were responsible for introducing peanuts to Spain and subsequently to Africa and Asia, showcasing the plant's ability to traverse cultures. The Africans who held the plant in high regard, thinking it possessed a soul, brought peanuts to North America during the traumatic period of slavery. The term 'goober' is rooted in African heritage, deriving from the Congo name for peanuts, 'nguba'.
The cultivation of plants, such as peanuts, began long before structured farming. Ancient gatherers may have initiated what we now consider cultivation by observing plant growth in refuse piles or by relocating plants closer to their habitats. Through these early experiments in cultivation, humanity learned that they could influence their environment and grow plants for their benefit.