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Lens culinaris - Medik.

Lentil

Author	Medik.	Botanical references	200
Family	Leguminosae	Genus	Lens
Synonyms	Cicer lens - Willd. Ervum lens - L. Lens esculenta - Moench.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Original habitat is obscure, possibly the Mediterranean.
Habitat	Not known in the wild.
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Annual growing to 0.45m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Chilean'
'HarLen'
'WH2040'

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed; Seedpod.

Seed - cooked or sprouted and eaten raw[1]. A very nutritious food[171, 177], the seeds can be cooked on their own or added to soups, stews etc[183]. The seed can be soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for about 5 days[244]. They have a crunchy, fresh flavour[244]. Lentils are more digestible than many legumes[K]. The dried seed can also be ground into a powder and used with cereal flours in making bread etc[183], this greatly enhances the value of the protein in the bread. The seed stores better if it is left in its husk[200]. Young seedpods - used fresh or cooked like green beans[61, 177, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Laxative; Poultice.

The seeds are mucilaginous and laxative[240]. They are considered to be useful in the treatment of constipation and other intestinal affections[240]. Made into a paste, they are a useful cleansing application in foul and indolent ulcers[240].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant[K], it prefers a sandy soil in a warm sunny sheltered position[27, 37, 200]. Another report says that it does best on clay[37]. It produces most seed when grown on poorer soils[37]. Lentils are widely cultivated in warm temperate and tropical zones for their edible and very nutritious seed, there are many named varieties[183]. The plants are much hardier than is commonly supposed and many of these varieties can succeed in Britain, particularly in warm summers. There is at least one, called 'WH2040', that can withstand temperatures as low as -23°c in the seedling stage[200]. 'Chilean' is a low-growing plant that can be grown in the winter in areas where winter vegetables can be grown[183]. 'HarLen' tolerates temperatures down to -10°c and performs very well in gardens[183]. The plants take the same time as peas to mature, so lentils are a potential commercial crop for Britain[141]. Yields of up to 2 tonnes per hectare are possible[200]. The main problem with growing them as a commercial crop is that they are produced by using cheap labour in many countries which makes it very difficult for British farmers to compete on prices. However, this does not preclude their being grown in the garden and allotment. Lentils are also beneficial to grow as part of a rotation on the farm or garden. They have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby and, if the roots are left in the ground when the seeds are harvested, this will provide a source of nitrogen for the next crop[200].

Propagation

Seed - sow early April in situ[1]. Some cultivars are probably suitable for sowing outdoors in the autumn, at least in the milder parts of the country[200].

Cultivars

'Chilean'

A low-growing plant that can be grown in the winter in areas where winter vegetables can be grown[183].

'HarLen'

This extremely hardy cultivar tolerates temperatures down to -10°c and performs very well in gardens[183].

'WH2040'

This cultivar can withstand temperatures as low as -23°c in the seedling stage[200].

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[27] Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press 0 ISBN 0-89815-041-8
A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable varieties. Not really that informative though.

[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[141] Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986 ISBN 0704909820
Some suggested alternative commercial crops for Britain. Readable. Produced by a University study group.

[171] Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[244] Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Lens culinaris

wp Thu Jan 18 2007

Cultivars: 'HarLen' 'WH2040' Where can I get them? (I live in Austria) Can I order them somewhere over the web?

Lens culinaris

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future Sat Jan 20 2007

Unfortunately, we can no longer trace a supplier of the two lentil cultivars mentioned above. If anyone is growing them, or knows of a seed source, please could they get in touch with me through this site. Many thanks.

Lens culinaris

Ruth Swanton Sun Apr 8 2007

Has anyone ever contacted you to let you know of a supplier of lentil cultivers? I would be very interested to know as I would love to grow lentils on my allotment. Can you grow them from the lentils you buy from the supermarket?

Lens culinaris

mark Wed May 7 2008

i recently have one sprouted lentil from the supermarket. it took about a week to germinate. i planted it in a peat pot in an aquarium about the last week of april (in central maryland). i kept it under fluorescent lights in the aquarium for about a week and placed it outside on may 7. i intend to plant more from the supermarket bag but i didnt have alot of luck with supermarket navy beans. i planted about 20 but most stopped growing or died. one has reached a height of about 18 inches and is doing well.

Lens culinaris

Amanda Rofe Wed Oct 15 2008

B & T World Seeds sell a range of Lens culinaris seeds including Masoor, Oodham, Tarahumara Pink, Lentillon Rose de Champagne, Della val di Nievole and an organic brown sprouting lentil. Details from: http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com

Lens culinaris

caroline Mon Mar 30 2009

I would like information on growing lens culinaris in Zambia!

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