Lentil (Vicia lens, Fl. Descr. Anal. Paris: 143 (1845))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) Coss. & Germ.

Bibliography: Fl. Descr. Anal. Paris: 143 (1845)

Year: 1845

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vicia

Vegetable: True

Observations: E. Medit. to W. Himalaya

Description

The Lentil, scientifically known as Vicia lens, is a notable member of the Fabaceae family. This ancient legume has been cultivated and consumed across various cultures due to its nutritional value and versatility in culinary applications. Originating from the Eastern Mediterranean region and spanning its natural habitat to the Western Himalayas, the Lentil has adapted to diverse environmental conditions, which has contributed to its wide geographic distribution and popularity.

Authored by (L.) Coss. & Germ. and meticulously described in the botanical literature “Fl. Descr. Anal. Paris: 143” published in 1845, the Lentil stands as a significant subject in botanical and agricultural studies. The robust nature of the Lentil plant allows it to thrive in different soil types and climates, making it a reliable crop for farmers in various parts of the world.

The Lentil plant exhibits characteristic foliage typical of the Fabaceae family, with its compound leaves and small, delicate flowers. The seeds are housed in pods and come in various colors including brown, green, red, and black, each variant offering unique flavors and textures that enhance culinary diversity. Beyond its culinary significance, the Lentil is celebrated for its high protein content and array of essential nutrients, making it a staple in vegetarian and vegan diets.

Due to its historical and agricultural importance, the Lentil continues to be an area of interest for researchers and agriculturists who aim to improve crop yields and study its resilience to environmental challenges. The journey of the Lentil from the E. Mediterranean regions to the heights of the W. Himalayas underscores its adaptability and enduring legacy as a key agricultural product.

Common Names

En: Lentil, Common Lentil
Af: Lensie
Sq: Thjerrëza
Am: ምስ’ር
Ar: عدس
Av: ТIипало
Az: Mərcimək
Eu: Dilista
Be: Сачавіца харчовая
Bn: মসুর ডাল
Bg: Леща
My: ပဲနီလေး
Ca: Llentilla
Zh: 兵豆, 小扁豆
Cv: Ясмăк
Hr: Leća
Cs: Čočka kuchyňská, Šošovica kuchynská
Da: Linser, Linse
Nl: Linze
Et: Lääts
Fi: Kylvövirvilä, Linssi, Rokkalinssi
Fr: Lentille, Lentille cultivée, Lentille comestible, Lentille alimentaire, Lentille culinaire, Lentille de Cilaos
Gl: Lentella
De: Linse, Küchen-Linse
El: Φακή, Faki
Gu: મસુર
He: עדשה תרבותית, Adasha tarbutit
Hi: मसूर
Hu: Lencse
Is: Linsubaun
Ia: Lenticula
Ga: Lintile
It: Lenticchia comune
Jv: Lentil
Kn: ಮಸೂರ ಅವರೆ
Kk: Azıqtıq jasımıq, Азықтық жасымық, ازىقتىق جاسىمىق
Ko: 렌즈콩
Ku: Nîsk
Lv: Lēcas
Lt: Valgomasis lęšis
Lb: Lëns
Mk: Леќа
Ms: Lentil
Mt: Għažž
Mr: मसूर
Mn: Сэвэгзарам
Ne: मुसुरो
No: Linse, Linser
Oc: Lentilha cultivada
Or: ମସୁର
Fa: عدس
Pl: Soczewica jadalna
Pt: Lentilha, Lentilhas
Qu: Lantrihas
Ro: Linte
Ru: Чечевица обыкновенная, Чечевица пищевая
Sr: Сочиво
Sd: مھري دال
Si: මසූර්
Sk: Šošovica jedlá
So: Misir
Es: Lenteja, Navadna leča
Sw: Mdengu
Sv: Lins
Tl: Lentehas
Zh-tw: 小扁豆
Tg: Наск
Ta: மைசூர்ப் பருப்பு
Tt: Ясмык
Bo: སྲན་ལེབ་ཆུང་ངུ།
Zh-hant: 小扁豆
Tr: Mercimek, Ferrini
Tk: Enter ýüzi
Uk: Сочевиця
Vi: Đậu lăng
Wa: Lintile
Cy: Corbysen, Corbys
Yi: לינזן

Synonyms

• Cicer lens ((L.) Willd.)
• Lens lens ((L.) Huth)
• Lens culinaris subsp. esculenta (Briq.)
• Lathyrus lens ((L.) Bernh.)
• Lentilla lens ((L.) W.Wight)
• Orobus lens ((L.) Stokes)
• Lens esculenta (Moench)
• Ervum lens (L.)
• Lens culinaris (Medik.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Algeria (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Spain (native)
• Turkey (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Inner Mongolia (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mongolia (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tibet (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jan 16, 2021 by Charkes Bader (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2019 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2021 by Charkes Bader (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 24, 2020 by Miguel Moreno (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 27, 2020 by fleurdelupin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2019 by Marie-christine Geffrotin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2022 by Luca Mastino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2015 by Samuel Dufour-Kowalski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Laura (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 28, 2015 by Samuel Dufour-Kowalski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by Federica Manzione (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2015 by Samuel Dufour-Kowalski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2015 by Samuel Dufour-Kowalski (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Marie-France PETIBON (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 16, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2018 by Luque carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2018 by Zheng Huang (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 6, 2020 by Diaz Andres (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 26, 2020 by Nikki Nikki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2019 by Alexandre Charlier (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:524872-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lens culinaris Medik.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5350010)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3973001)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 6