Chickpea (চানা বুট)- Cicer arietinum

Common Name :	Chickpea.
Binomial Name :	Cicer arietinum
Family :	Fabaceae
Bangla Name :	Chana (চানা), Chana boot (চানা বুট)
Photo Taken :	Bangladesh

Botanical Identity

Cicer arietinum, commonly known as Chickpea, Garbanzo Bean, or Bengal Gram, is a globally important legume cultivated for its protein-rich seeds. It belongs to the Fabaceae family and is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in regions around modern-day Turkey and Syria. The plant has been grown since ancient times and is now widely cultivated across India, the Mediterranean, Africa, and parts of the Americas. The species name arietinum is derived from the Latin word for “ram,” referencing the seed’s slightly beaked, ram’s head shape. In Bangladesh this is known as Chana (চানা), Chana boot (চানা বুট), or simply Boot (বুট).

Plant Description

This annual herbaceous plant grows up to 30–60 cm tall, with a bushy appearance and a deep taproot system. The stems are branched and slightly hairy, and the compound leaves are pinnate with 5–15 leaflets. It is a cool-season crop that thrives in well-drained, loamy soils under full sunlight. Cicer arietinum is relatively drought-tolerant due to its deep roots and is often grown as a rainfed crop in semi-arid regions. Its nitrogen-fixing ability also helps enrich the soil, making it beneficial in crop rotation systems.

Flowers and Fruit Characteristics

Cicer arietinum produces small, delicate, pea-like flowers that are typically pink, violet, or white in color. These flowers are borne singly in leaf axils and are self-pollinated. The fruit is a small, inflated pod, about 2–3 cm long, generally containing 1–2 round, knobby seeds. The seeds may be beige, brown, black, or green, depending on the variety. There are two main types: Desi (small, dark, rough-coated seeds) and Kabuli (larger, smooth, cream-colored seeds). Both are edible and nutritionally rich.

Uses and Nutritional Value

Chickpeas are a staple in many global cuisines, used whole, sprouted, ground into flour (besan), or processed into foods like hummus, falafel, and curries. Rich in plant-based protein, dietary fiber, folate, iron, and complex carbohydrates, they are especially valued in vegetarian and vegan diets. In traditional medicine, chickpeas are considered beneficial for digestion, blood sugar control, and heart health. The plant residue is also used as animal fodder. With its high nutritional content and agricultural benefits, Cicer arietinum plays a key role in food security and sustainable farming.

Photos of this article were taken from a village named Vaor viti, which is located beside the river Dhaleswari in Munshiganj. It was during the end of January from the year 2015.


Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog icflora.blogspot.com