Lentils
Lens culinaris

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A slender annual plant. They grow to about 25-40 cm high. It is erect with many branches. Plants are softly hairy. The leaves are compound with leaflets along the stalk. There is usually a tendril at the end. There are 4-7 pairs of leaflets and these do not have a stalk. They are sword shaped and 1.3 cm long. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. There are 1-4 flowers in a group. The flower stalk is slender. The flowers are small and up to 8 mm long. The flowers are bluish. The pods are oblong and 1.3 cm long. There are 1-2 seeds per pod. The pods are flat and the seeds are about 3-6 mm across. There are also large seeded kinds with seeds 6-9 mm across. The seeds are lens shaped, round and curved out on both sides. The seeds become reddish brown when ripe. There are several named cultivated varieties. Possibly now Vicia lens

There are 4 Lens species. Biblical references: Genesis 25:29-34; 2 Samuel 17:28; Ezekiel 4:9

Where it is found

A plant of warm temperate and tropical zones. It prefers a sandy soil in a warm position. It produces most seed when grown on poorer soils. They grow in subtropical, warm temperate and high altitude tropical places. In India they grow from sea level to 3,500 m altitude. In Nepal they grow to about 1000 m altitude. In Ethiopia it grows between 1,600-2,350 m above sea level. They can grow on a range of soils. It suits hardiness zones 7-11. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Europe, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Yemen, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seed are cooked or sprouted or eaten raw. Young seedpods can be cooked and eaten. The ground seed can be used with cereals. The seeds are often eaten in soups and stews. They are served as Dahl in India. Lentil flour can be mixed with cereal flour to bake bread. The sprouted seeds are eaten in salads, vegetable dishes and soups.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. World production is about 1 million tons each year. It is an ancient crop.

Edible parts

Seeds, pods, vegetable

How it is grown

Seed are sown where they are to grow. Plants are normally self pollinated but cross pollination can occur. In India it is often grown mixed with rice. When grown as a pure stand it can be broadcast or planted in rows.

Yields of 2 ton per hectare are possible. For sprouts the seeds are soaked for 12 hours in warm water then allowed to sprout for 5 days. Crops mature in about 3.5 months.

Its other names

Local names

Aoi mame, Bagali, Bing dou, Chanangi, Chirisanagalu, Dhal, Kacang koro, Kacang serinding, Kursam bulle pullie, Lente, Lenteja, Lenticchia, Lentilha, Lentille, Lentja, Linse, Malka masur, Masar, Masser, Masur, Masuri, Masurmoha, Masuro, Misurpappu, Moshur, Musri, Navadna leča, Niska bej, Patani, Pe ni, Pe-ni-ale, Pesan-ban, Pe-yaza, Pothundhambala, Red Dahl, Sai min dou, Thietdau, Thua daeng, Thua raatcha maat

Synonyms

Cicer lens (L.) Willd.; Ervum lens L.; Lens esculenta Moench; Lentilla lens (L.) W. Wight ex D. Fairchild; Lens ervoides (Brign.) Grande; Lens nigricans; Vicia lens (L.) Cosson & Germ.;