Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum, Sp. pl. 2:738. 1753)

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:738. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cicer

Vegetable: True

Observations: N. Iraq to Iran

Description

Bengal gram, scientifically known as Cicer arietinum, is a notable plant belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is a species with a rich historical background, first described in the notable “Species Plantarum” published in 1753 by the famed botanist Carl Linnaeus, whose works have profoundly detailed various plant species.

This plant traces its origins to a specific geographic region extending from Northern Iraq to Iran, where it has thrived for centuries. The semi-arid climate of this region provides the ideal conditions for Bengal gram to grow, marking its importance in the agricultural practices of these areas.

As a member of the Fabaceae family, Bengal gram shares the characteristic traits typical to legumes. It plays a crucial role in traditional diets and agricultural systems, particularly valued for its high protein content and nutritional benefits. The plant’s robust nature allows it to contribute significantly to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, thereby enhancing soil quality.

Bengal gram is a powerhouse in terms of its culinary versatility. In many cultures, it forms a staple food, often consumed in various forms whether cooked, sprouted, or ground into flour. Its resilience and adaptability also make it a preferred crop for regions prone to drought, supporting food security and agricultural sustainability.

Thus, Bengal gram is not only a plant of botanical interest but also a staple that supports both nutritional needs and agricultural ecosystems in its native regions.

Common Names

Eng: bengal gram, chick pea, chickpea, garbanzo, garbanzo bean, gram
Deu: kichererbse, kirchererbse
Dan: kikært
Fra: pois-chiche, pois chiche
Ita: cece
Ces: cizrna beraní, cícer baraní
Por: grão-de-bico
Swe: kikärt
Ell: revythia
Mlt: ċi
Nld: keker
Cym: gwygbys, gwygbysen
En: Bengal gram, Garbanzo, Chickpea, Gram, Chick pea, Channa, Kichererbse, चना, Garbanzo Bean, Bush Garbanzo Bean, Hummus, Chick-pea
Af: Kekerertjie
Sq: Qiqra
Am: ሽምብራ
Ar: حمص شائع
As: বুট
Az: Qoyunnoxudu
Eu: Txitxirio
Be: Нут культурны
Bn: ছোলা
Bs: Leblebija
Bg: Нахут
Ca: Cigró, Cigronera
Zh: Ying zui dou, 鹰嘴豆
Hr: Slanutak
Cs: Cizrna beraní, Cícer baraní
Da: Kikært
Dv: ސަނާ މުގު
Nl: Keker, Kreukerwt, Sissererwt
Et: Harilik kikerhernes
Fi: Kahviherne, Kikherne, Kikkahviherne
Fr: Pois chiche, Pois-chiche, Tête-de-bélier, Cicer tête-de-bélier, Lentille culinaire, Cicer Tete-de-belier
Gl: Garavanzo
De: Kichererbse, Kirchererbse
El: Ρεβιθιά, Revythia
Gu: ચણા
He: חמצה
Hi: चना
Hu: Csicseriborsó
Is: Kjúklingabaun
Io: Garbanzo
Id: Kacang arab
Ga: Piseánach
It: Cece
Jv: Chickpea
Kn: ಕಡಲೆ
Kk: Нұт
Ko: 병아리콩
Ku: Nok
Lv: Aunazirņi
Lt: Sėjamasis avinžirnis
Lb: Käicher
Mk: Леблебија
Ms: Kacang kuda
Ml: കടല
Mt: Ċi
Ne: चना
No: Kikert
Oc: Céser
Or: ଚଣା
Pa: ਛੋਲੇ
Ps: نخود
Fa: نخود
Pl: Ciecierzyca pospolita
Pt: Grão-de-bico, Grao De Bica
Ro: Năut
Ru: Нут бараний
Sa: चणकः
Sr: Леблебија
Si: කඩල
Sk: Cícer baraní
So: Shunburo
Es: Čičerika, Garbanzo
Sw: Mnjegere mkubwa
Sv: Kikärt
Tl: Garbansos
Zh-tw: 鷹嘴豆
Tg: Нахӯд
Ta: கொண்டைக் கடலை
Tt: Бәрән ногыты
Te: శనగలు
Th: ถั่วหัวช้าง
Tr: Nohut
Ug: نوقۇت
Uk: Нут
Ur: چنا
Vi: Đậu gà
Wa: Poes d’ souke
Cy: Gwygbysen, Gwygbys
Yi: נאהיט

Synonyms

• Cicer grossum (Salisb.)
• Cicer sativum (Schkuhr)
• Cicer physodes (Rchb.)
• Cicer arietinum subsp. eurasiaticum (Popova)
• Cicer arietinum var. globosum (Alef.)
• Cicer arietinum var. fuscum (Alef.)
• Cicer arietinum var. cruentum (Alef.)
• Nochotta oleracea (S.G.Gmel.)
• Cicer arietinum var. vulgare (Jaub. & Spach)
• Cicer arietinum var. macrospermum (Jaub. & Spach)
• Cicer arietinum var. nigrum (Alef.)
• Cicer arietinum var. album (Gaudin)
• Cicer arietinum var. rhytidospermum (Jaub. & Spach)
• Vicia arietina ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Cicer rotundum (Jord. ex Alef.)

Distribution

• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Afghanistan (introduced)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Inner Mongolia (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Mongolia (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Qinghai (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Nome Cognome (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2020 by manish Kumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Laura R (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2018 by Jordan Galli (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 29, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 3, 2006 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 23, 2022 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by logger (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2018 by Manuel Portela (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 29, 2020 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Pour Demos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2019 by Portici Giacomo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2020 by kush purple (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2017 by Samantha Scott (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2947311)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:486336-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cicer arietinum L.)

Specifications

Growth