Creole cotton

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• American Pima cotton
• American-Egyptian cotton
• Brazilian cotton
• Egyptian cotton
• Gallini cotton
• Peruvian cotton
• Pima cotton
• Sea Island cotton
• kidney cotton
• long-staple cotton
• upland cotton
• Sea-Island Cotton
• extra-long staple cotton

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hibiscus fruticulosus
• Gossypium barbadense var. apospermum
• Gossypium barbadense var. brasiliense
• Gossypium barbadense var. caravonicum
• Gossypium barbadense var. maritimum
• Gossypium barbadense var. microcarpum
• Gossypium barbadense var. pedatum
• Gossypium lapideum subsp. brasiliense
• Gossypium barbadense f. maritimum
• Gossypium peruvianum subsp. racemosum
• Gossypium barbadense subsp. racemosum
• Hibiscus barbadensis
• Gossypium barbadense var. vitifolium
• Gossypium barbadense var. acuminatum
• Neogossypium barbadense
• Gossypium barbadense f. vitifolium
• Hibiscus barbadensis deciduus
• Gossypium arboreum subsp. perenne
• Gossypium maritimum var. polycarpum
• Gossypium tenax
• Gossypium barbadense f. casimiranum
• Gossypium guyanense
• Gossypium auritum
• Hibiscus barbadensis f. fruticulosus
• Gossypium acuminatum
• Hibiscus barbadensis var. lanceolatum
• Hibiscus barbadensis f. oligospermus
• Hibiscus barbadensis f. racemosus
• Gossypium barbadense f. suffruticosum
• Gossypium barbadense subvar. maritimum
• Gossypium barbadense subvar. peruvianum
• Gossypium barbadense subvar. vitifolium
• Gossypium barbadense var. cayanense
• Gossypium barbadense subsp. microcarpum
• Gossypium frutescens var. maritimum
• Gossypium herbaceum var. vitifolium
• Gossypium barbadense var. peruvianum
• Gossypium jamaicense f. fruticulosum
• Gossypium barbadense subsp. peruvianum
• Gossypium barbadense var. rufum
• Gossypium barbadense subsp. sprucei
• Gossypium barbadense subsp. vitifolium
• Gossypium barbadense f. eggersii
• Gossypium barbadense var. integrum
• Gossypium brasiliense
• Gossypium brasiliense var. apospermum
• Gossypium calycotum
• Gossypium cambayense
• Gossypium guyanense var. braziliense
• Gossypium glabrum
• Gossypium fruticulosum
• Gossypium evertum
• Gossypium sarmentosum
• Gossypium rupestre
• Gossypium rohrianum
• Gossypium perenne
• Gossypium pubescens
• Gossypium quinacre
• Gossypium racemosum
• Gossypium pedatum
• Gossypium virens
• Gossypium virgatum
• Gossypium trichospermum
• Gossypium speciosum
• Gossypium suffruticosum
• Gossypium teleium
• Gossypium pallens
• Gossypium peruvianum
• Gossypium peruvianum var. apospermum
• Gossypium peruvianum var. brasiliense
• Gossypium peruvianum var. braziliense
• Gossypium peruvianum var. glabrum
• Gossypium peruvianum var. nigrum
• Gossypium peruvianum subsp. nigrum
• Gossypium peruvianum var. racemosum
• Gossypium peruvianum var. sprucei
• Gossypium peruvianum subsp. sprucei
• Gossypium nigrum
• Gossypium niveum
• Gossypium jumelianum
• Gossypium microcarpum
• Gossypium multiglandulosum
• Gossypium nankin
• Gossypium maritimum
• Gossypium isabelum
• Gossypium javanicum
• Gossypium lapideum
• Hibiscus barbadensis var. latifolius
• Gossypium microcarpum var. luxurians
• Gossypium microcarpum var. rufum
• Gossypium peruvianum var. caravonicum
• Gossypium maritimum var. jumelianum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Gossypium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Gossypium barbadense, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, its presence is notably documented in Egypt. Moving toward the West Tropical Africa region, it can be found in the country of Benin. The species is also distributed throughout West Tropical Africa in Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical reach extends further within West Tropical Africa to include Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gossypium barbadense is characterized by its adaptability across diverse environmental settings, ranging from highly modified landscapes to complex natural ecosystems. It is commonly found in anthropic areas, rainforests (specifically ombrophilous forests or tropical rain forests), and restinga habitats, reflecting a broad ecological tolerance. The species exhibits a significant vertical distribution, spanning an elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1800 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1150 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal breadth allows the plant to occupy various climatic niches, from coastal lowlands to montane environments.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Gossypium barbadense are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture that facilitates its unique morphological and biochemical properties. The species exhibits a chromosome number of 26 or 52, depending on the specific lineage and evolutionary stage of the specimen. This variability is intrinsically linked to its ploidy level, which is identified as 2, reflecting its status as a diploid organism within its specific genetic context. This fundamental genomic structure provides the hereditary basis for the diverse secondary metabolites and adaptive traits essential to its medicinal profile.

Chromosome number :

26, 52

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Gossypium barbadense is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, though its growth patterns can vary depending on environmental conditions and cultivation practices. As a therophyte, the plant completes its life cycle through a specific seasonal progression, functioning as an ephemeral or seasonal grower that relies on seed production to persist across generations. In terms of its vegetative structure and habit, it is classified as an evergreen, maintaining its foliage throughout much of its active growth period rather than shedding all leaves seasonally. This combination of a perennial potential and a therophytic life form allows the species to adapt to specific climatic niches while maintaining a consistent photosynthetic capacity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gossypium barbadense is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. As a terrestrial and independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine. The plant exhibits a significant vertical presence, with a height ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 3 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 2.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.75 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gossypium barbadense is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The foliage is non-succulent and exhibits a distinctly lobed leaf form, facilitating gas exchange and transpiration management. Morphologically, the leaves demonstrate significant variability in size; the leaf length ranges from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 22 cm, with a mean length of 9.5 cm. Similarly, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 26 cm, maintaining a mean width of 9.5 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf form :

lobed

Leaf length max:

22 cm

Leaf length mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

26 cm

Leaf width mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gossypium barbadense is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and distinct morphological traits of its reproductive organs. The flowering period typically commences in July and concludes in August. The flowers are notable for their red coloration and exhibit a size range with a minimum length of 1 cm and a maximum length of 8 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules vary in size, with a mean length of 5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. The fruit is dehiscence-type, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. The seeds produced within the capsule are relatively small, characterized by a mean mass of approximately 0.1182375 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.04815 g to a maximum of 0.1618 g. In terms of dimensions, the seeds can reach a maximum length of 10 mm and a maximum width of 5 mm. Finally, the dispersal of the seeds is facilitated through an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing wind for distribution.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

red

Flower length max:

8 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

7 cm

Fruit length mean:

5 cm

Fruit length min:

3 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed length max:

10 mm

Seed mass max:

0.1618 g

Seed mass mean:

0.1182375 g

Seed mass min:

0.04815 g

Seed width max:

5 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gossypium barbadense has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Chemicals

Gossypium barbadense has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gossypol, (-)-Gossypol, Gossypetin, Gossypin.

gossypol

1. Contraception
2. Plant methods

(-)-Gossypol

1. Contraception

Gossypetin

1. Plant methods

Gossypin

1. Plant methods

Activities

Gossypium barbadense has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Conditions

Gossypium barbadense has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, hypertension.

Cancer

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Hypertension

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Preparations

Gossypium barbadense has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include juice, seeds.

Juice

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Seeds

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences