On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the lentil soup recipe title. This article is about the species Lens culinaris. For the meaning of “lentil” in Indian English, see legume. It is an annual plant known for its lens-shaped seeds.

Lentils are used around the world for culinary purposes. Many different names in different parts of the world are used for the crop lentil. The first use of the word lens to designate a specific genus was in the 16th century by the botanist Tournefort. Lens is a small genus which consists of the cultivated L. Among the different taxa of wild lentils, L.