Peanut flake

[Mom2boys]

What is that flaky stuff that is around the peanut in its shell? What is it called? What is it’s purpose?

[DSeid]

The seed coat, or testa.

Significance
A seed coat protects the embryo of a new plant. It is a membrane that grows and coats the embryo after germination in the mother plant. Nestled inside the coat is the dormant embryo, the cotyledon or seed leaf, the plumule or first true leaves of a seedling and the radicle–the latter which is the beginning root system. Housed within the seed coat are the nutrients if the embryo will need them before it is able to gather nutrition from the soil it is rooted in.

Function
The seed coat, or testa, can be impenetrable, especially in long dormancy seeds. Dormancy is ensured because the seeds can not be easily broken into or out of. These seeds must be scratched (scarified), notched or split open to force them to allow for sprouting and growth of a new plant. Other seeds sprout more easily by being planted directly into moist soil or by being soaked in water for a few hours to soften the testa. The contents of the seed coat are protected until it is time for them to produce new life. …

… Animals and humans are able to eat or bite through seed coats. We eat sunflower seeds and peanuts, for example. A seed coat on the peanut is a brown, papery cover …

[dzero]

Cool. I wonder if cotyledon is related to the word cotillion.

Yes, I know. Google is my friend.

[kath94]

I call it icky, peel it off and throw it away. Or on the floor, depending on the venue.