Cicer arietinum Seeds | Chickpeas
LATIN NAME: Cicer arietinum
COMMON NAME: Chickpea
Plant Profile
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is an upright, bushy, annual in the pea family. Chickpea is round, nutty legume of old fields, and small, white, pea-like flowers hide among feathery leaves. Upright, bushy, annual plant carries pinnate leaves of many small leaflets and small, white or pale-violet, pea-like flowers through warm season, to be followed by short, inflated pods of round, cream to tan seeds with pointed tip. It is a plant of open, sunny, well-drained ground. Each of these traits is modest on its own; together they make a garden-worthy plant.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the pea family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. A long cultivation history means growers know what to expect from it.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Chickpea has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Chickpea is a fine, historic plant of warm field and vegetable garden. Round, cream to tan seeds have a very long record as staple of old world, cooked into hummus and curries, roasted into crisp snacks and ground into fine chickpea flour of warm kitchens. It has been written up in culinary and agricultural papers for round seeds and the very long history, and it is a fine, generous plant of the open, sunny, well-drained garden. Beyond the establishment year, its needs are simple and few.
Chickpea is a protein-and-fiber staple with a low glycemic impact, and its folate and resistant starch make it a pillar of heart-healthy diets.
Growing from Seed
Raising Chickpea from seed is straightforward. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Its role in herbal practice, noted above, adds depth to an already garden-worthy plant. Chickpea settles in quickly once it finds its footing. From then on, routine care is all that is required.
Related Reading
Continue exploring with these related plants: