The tap root may grow to a depth of 15 inches, while the majority of the roots will usually be found in the top 7 inches of the soil profile. Lentil plants flower from the bottom of the plant, and the flowering progresses upward. The flowers range in color from white to pale blue. Seed pods usually hold one or two seeds. They are lens shaped, generally from 2 to 9 millimeters in diameter, and vary from 15,600 to 100,000 seeds per pound.
Seeds produced in North America are generally larger than seeds produced in the Near East and India.
Seed color can be tan, brown, black, or purple and black mottled. The seed sur-face is generally smooth but on some large seeds may be wrinkled. Lentils are sometimes used in soups, stews and salad dishes, but lentils produced in extremely dry conditions generate a hard seed coat which may make them difficult to cook. Lentils are well adapted to semi-arid, cool conditions. In fact, lentils will not produce acceptable seed yields in hot, wet areas.