Lens culinaris is a much-branched, erect, bushy, annual plant growing 30 - 80cm tall.Lentil is one of the oldest pulse crops and is of ancient cultivation in western Asia, Egypt and southern Europe. It probably originated in western Asia, from where it eventually spread throughout temperate and subtropical regions of the world and into the higher elevations in tropical areas. The earliest records of it being used date back to 11,000 BC in Ancient Greece, though it was another 5,000 years before it was being cultivated regularly. A very important food plant, its nutritious seed has become a staple food for many
