The lentil flower itself is easily overlooked, ranging from white to pale lilac, while the plant rarely grows taller than 20-30cm (8-12in). During the growing season, the colours of the fioritura are created mainly by wildflowers that naturally grow among the crop. As a low-growing, nitrogen-fixing legume, the lentil enriches the soil while allowing sunlight to reach the native flowers growing nearby. Golden expanses of wild mustard and rapeseed appear first, followed by the intense red of poppies and, when weather conditions permit, the blue of cornflowers together with the violet-pink blossoms of roveja (wild field pea).
