South American vinelike annual plant. After flowering, the flower stalks bend and force the pods into the earth to ripen underground. The nuts are a staple food in many tropical countries and are widely grown in the southern USA. They provide a valuable edible oil and are the basis for a large number of processed foods. (Arachis hypogaea, family Leguminosae.)
The flag is known as the ‘Lone Star’ banner. The red triangle symbolizes the blood shed in the fight for freedom from Spain. The blue stripes stand for Cuba's three provinces. Effective date: 20 May 1902.