Cicer arietinum L.
Fabaceae (legume family)
Location: Pulse crops
Origin: Turkey
Biophysical Requirements: Adapted to warm semiarid conditions where most of the crop is grown. Commercial production in the U.S. is limited to California.
Food Uses: One of the most important food legumes in India, the seeds are consumed whole or ground into flour for unleavened bread or sweets. In the Middle East, hummus means both chickpea and the food dish.
See also Purdue University new crops website.