Gossypium

GOSSYPIUM

The generic name of the cotton plant, of which there are four species: - G. Arboream - A perennial tree growing 15 feet to 20 feet high. Found in India, China, Arabia and Egypt, and produces a good quality of cotton. The plant is considered sacred in India, where it has the names Nurmai and Deo Parati. G. Barbadense - This is the famous Sea Islands cotton, now grown almost entirely in the British West Indies. The plant is a native of Barbadoes and grows 6 feet to 15 feet high (see Sea Islands). G. Hirsutum - Grows about 6 feet high, mostly in the Southern States of America, and is known variously as Uplands, Mobile, New Orleans, Texas, Boweds, etc. G. Herbaceum - Grows 4 feet to 6 feet high, in Egypt, India, China and Asia Minor. Short staple Egyptian is of this species.