Cotton

Upland cotton is a shrubby annual to short-lived perennial 1–1.5 m tall (occasionally 2 m), much-branched and usually hairy. The leaves are broadly heart-shaped, divided into 3–5 lobes, 5–10 cm long, with entire margins and long stalks. The bisexual flowers are borne singly in the leaf axils and resemble hibiscus: five creamy-white petals that turn pink and then purplish-red as they fade, surrounded by an epicalyx of bracts. The fruit is an ovoid capsule (the cotton boll) 3–5 cm long which splits when ripe to reveal 4–5 locules of seeds wrapped in fine white lint. The chromosome number is 2n = 52 (a tetraploid).

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

According to Kew POWO, Gossypium hirsutum originates in Mexico and Central America, where it was domesticated and grown for fibre long ago; today it is the most widely cultivated cotton species, accounting for most global production. It is grown mainly in warm regions with a distinct dry season such as China, India, the United States, Brazil, Pakistan and Central Asia. In Vietnam cotton was once grown in many provinces, but the area has shrunk because of import competition and crop conversion.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

Cotton fibre is almost pure cellulose (over 90%), while the seeds contain cottonseed oil rich in linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids together with protein. Notably, the seeds have glands containing gossypol — a terpenoid aldehyde toxic to people and non-ruminant animals and once studied as a male contraceptive. Refining removes most gossypol so the oil becomes edible; the seed cake must be degossypolized before use as animal feed. The seeds also contain tocopherols (vitamin E) and phytosterols. Composition varies with variety and growing conditions.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

Upland cotton is the leading industrial crop supplying fibre to the global textile industry; cotton fibre is also used for medical cotton wool, paper and cellulose materials. Refined cottonseed oil is used as cooking oil and as a raw material for paints and soap, while the (degossypolized) seed cake is used as animal feed. Since insect-resistant genetically modified cotton (Bt cotton) was introduced in 1996, yields and pest management have changed greatly in many countries. Gossypol has been studied as a male contraceptive and in cancer treatment.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

Upland cotton is a domesticated crop that has not been assessed on the IUCN Red List (NE); it is not threatened because it persists mainly through cultivation. As for safety, gossypol in the seeds is toxic if raw seeds are eaten or unrefined oil is used, potentially affecting the liver, heart and reproduction; therefore use only properly refined, degossypolized oil and cake. Cotton is also a thirsty crop that uses much pesticide, so cultivation should be managed to protect soil and the environment. Cotton pollen can cause allergy in sensitive people.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026