Bitterroot Restoration

Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Common name: Chhola, Boot, Chana(Beng.); Bengal gram, Chickpea(Eng.).
Life cycle:
Native Range: Cicer arietinum are grown in the Mediterranean, western Asia, the Indian subcontinent and Australia.

The plant grows to between 20 and 50 cm high and has small feathery leaves on either side of the stem. One seedpod contains two or three peas. It has white flowers with blue, violet or pink veins. Cicer arietinum need a subtropical or tropical climate with more than 400 millimetres (16 in) of annual rain. They can be grown in a temperate climate but yields will be much lower. Their seeds not only have high levels of protein (c 20 %) but also are rich in carbohydrates (c 55%) and fats (c 5%), making them a highly nutritious food.

Cicer arietinum are a helpful source of zinc, folate and protein. They are also very high in dietary fiber and hence a healthy source of carbohydrates for persons with insulin sensitivity or diabetes. Chickpeas are low in fat and most of this is polyunsaturated.