Lentil Growth Stages

Lens culinaris L.

Legume Type

VE • Seedling emergence, cotyledonary node visible

V1 • 1st simple leaf unfolded at 1st node

V2 • 2nd simple leaf unfolded at 2nd node

V3 • 1st bifoliate leaf unfolded at 3rd node

V4 • 2nd bifoliate leaf unfolded at 4th node

V5 • 1st multifoliate leaf unfolded at 5rd node [Fig. 1]

Vn • nth multifoliate leaf unfolded at nth node

R1 • Early bloom, one open flower at any node

R2 • Full bloom, flower open on nodes 10–13 of basal branch

R3 • Early pod, pods on nodes 10–13 of primary branch visible

R4 • Flat pod, pods on nodes 10–13 at full length and largely flat [Fig. 2]

R5 • Early seed, seed in any pod on nodes 10–13 fill pod cavity

R6 • Full seed, seed on nodes 10–13 fill the pod cavities [Fig. 3]

R7 • Leaves are yellowing, 50% of pods yellowed

R8 • 90% of pods are golden-brown

Figure 1 - 1st multifoliate leaf unfolded at 5rd node

Figure 2 - Flat pod, pods on nodes 10–13 at full length and largely flat

Figure 3 - Full seed

Additional Resources

Authors

H.F. Schwartz (Colorado State University) and M.A.C. Langham (South Dakota State University)

Photo credits

Courtesy of H. F. Schwartz and Weidong Chen (USDA-ARS at Washington State University) [07/10]