Gossypium arboreum

Gossypium arborium, commonly known as the tree cotton, is a versatile medicinal plant prized in traditional healing. Beyond its commercial fiber, its leaves, bark, and seeds possess significant therapeutic properties. It is frequently utilized for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, offering valuable contributions to natural pharmacology.

  • Scientific name: Gossypium arboreum
  • Family: Malvaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is classified under the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Gossypium as the species Gossypium arboreum.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malvales WCVP
Family Malvaceae WCVP
Genus Gossypium WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Gossypium arboreum, is recognized by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is referred to as 亚洲树棉 (yà zhōu shù mián), while in Nepali, it is called कपासको बोट (kapās kō bōṭa). Moving through different European languages, it is known as Cotonnier en arbre in French, cotoner arbori in Catalan, and Træagtig Bomuld in Danish.
Language Common Name Source
zh 亚洲树棉 Wikidata
ne कपासको बोट Wikidata
fr Cotonnier en arbre Wikidata
ca cotoner arbori Wikidata
da Træagtig Bomuld Wikidata
pnb پنجابی کپآ Wikidata
uz Hindixitoy gʻoʻzasi Wikidata
fa پنبه درختی Wikidata
zh-cn 亚洲树棉 Wikidata
ar قطن شجري Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, Gossypium arboreum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It is found natively within the borders of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species also maintains a presence in Ghana, contributing to the regional flora. Furthermore, its distribution extends into Mali, marking its range across diverse landscapes. Finally, the plant is widely recorded in both Nigeria and Togo, completing its presence in these West Tropical African nations.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Togo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Gabon WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Chad WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Ethiopia WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Sudan-South Sudan WCVP
East Tropical Africa Tanzania WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Gossypium arboreum, is a versatile medicinal species where the whole plant is frequently utilized in traditional healing practices. Every part of the organism, including the roots, leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds, contains various bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic properties. Because the medicinal efficacy is distributed throughout the entire structure, practitioners often prepare decoctions or extracts using the whole plant to treat a wide range of ailments, making it a highly significant botanical resource in herbal medicine.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Gossypium arboreum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-delta-cadinene, gossypol, lacinilene C.

Total chemicals
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
(+)-delta-cadinene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gossypol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lacinilene C 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Gossypium arboreum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include typhoid fever.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
typhoid fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆