annual legume (Lens esculenta) of the pea family, Leguminosae, and its edible seed; varieties differ in size, hairiness, and color of the leaves, flowers, and seeds; origin unknown; widely cultivated throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa; seeds used in soups and the herbage as fodder; good source of iron, protein, vitamin B, and phosphorus; plant height varies from 6 to 18 in. (15 to 45 cm); alternate leaves with six pairs of oblong-linear leaflets; 2 to 4 pale blue flowers borne in June or early July; oblong pods contain two seeds