tree cotton

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• tree cotton

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hibiscus cernuus
• Gossypium arboreum var. cernuum
• Gossypium arboreum var. wightianum
• Gossypium wattianum
• Gossypium arboreum subsp. sanguineum
• Gossypium arboreum subsp. cernuum
• Gossypium arboreum f. neglectum
• Gossypium arboreum f. vaupellii
• Gossypium herbaceum var. wightianum
• Gossypium arboreum var. neglectum
• Gossypium nanking f. rubicundum
• Gossypium nanking var. soudanense
• Gossypium arboreum var. indicum
• Hibiscus albiflorus
• Xylon indicum
• Gossypium albiflorum
• Gossypium asiaticum
• Gossypium bani
• Gossypium wightianum
• Gossypium arboreum var. obtusifolium
• Gossypium sanguineum
• Hibiscus nangking
• Gossypium roseum
• Gossypium roxburghii
• Gossypium royleanum
• Gossypium arboreum f. rubrum
• Gossypium rubicundum
• Gossypium arboreum f. albiflorum
• Gossypium rubrum
• Gossypium perennans
• Gossypium puniceum
• Gossypium soudanense
• Gossypium vaupelii
• Gossypium macranthum
• Gossypium nanking
• Gossypium nanking var. bani
• Gossypium neglectum
• Gossypium obtusifolium
• Gossypium obtusifolium var. wightiana
• Gossypium cernuum
• Gossypium comesii
• Gossypium figarei
• Gossypium glabratum
• Gossypium gracile
• Gossypium indicum
• Gossypium intermedium
• Gossypium roseum var. albiflorum
• Gossypium wightianum var. wightianum
• Gossypium wightianum var. pallidum
• Gossypium wightianum var. pubescens
• Gossypium arboreum var. sanguineum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gossypium arboreum is characterized by its ability to thrive within specific altitudinal and environmental parameters, primarily occupying anthropogenic landscapes such as crop fields. This species demonstrates a notable vertical distribution, inhabiting ecological niches that range from a minimum elevation of 300 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1300 m AMSL. By establishing itself within cultivated habitats, the plant integrates into agricultural ecosystems where it interacts with various soil compositions and seasonal moisture patterns typical of these mid-to-low altitude tropical and subtropical zones.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields

Life history

The life history of Gossypium arboreum is characterized by a complex developmental strategy that can be classified as perennial, though its growth patterns may fluctuate between annual and biennial stages depending on environmental conditions and management. In terms of its structural life form, the plant functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, while also exhibiting characteristics associated with a therophyte during stages of rapid seasonal growth or in response to specific climatic stressors. This combination of life history traits allows the species to navigate diverse ecological niches, transitioning through various physiological phases to ensure long-term survival and reproductive success within its habitat.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gossypium arboreum is characterized by a shrub-like growth form, typically manifesting as a self-supporting, non-woody plant. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a height ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 3 m, with an average plant height of approximately 3.33 m. As a self-supporting shrub, it does not exhibit the climbing habits of lianas or vines, instead establishing a stable, upright structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

3.33333333333333 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gossypium arboreum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative development is reflected in its leaf morphology, where leaf dimensions vary significantly; the leaf length typically ranges from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, with a mean length of approximately 6 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 4 cm and a maximum of 8 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing mechanisms to support its physiological growth and metabolic requirements.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gossypium arboreum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and the development of distinct fruiting bodies. The flowering period typically commences in July and extends through September, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following pollination, the plant produces fruits that vary in dimension, with a mean length of 2.75 cm, ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 3 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a mean mass of 0.07115 g; however, individual seed weight fluctuates significantly, with values recorded as low as 0.04641 g and as high as 0.09052 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.75 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Seed mass max:

0.09052 g

Seed mass mean:

0.07115 g

Seed mass min:

0.04641 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Gossypium arboreum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-delta-Cadinene, Lacinilene C, gossypol.

(+)-delta-Cadinene

1. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics

Lacinilene C

1. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics

gossypol

1. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics

Conditions

Gossypium arboreum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include typhoid fever.

Typhoid fever

1. The Central African journal of medicine