Gossypium barbadense aka American Pima Cotton

Gossypium barbadense, or Sea Island cotton, belongs to the mallow family, Malvaceae. Other names include Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton. Kew gives its native range as Colombia to Peru. Long cultivation has made its exact place of origin unclear. It now grows as a crop across many warm regions. Growers raise it for cotton fibre and sometimes for garden display.

This evergreen shrub grows fast and reaches about 10 feet (3 m). Its spread can reach about 8 feet (2.5 m). It forms a bush with strong stems that point upward. These stems turn woody as the plant grows. Plants may have few stems or many. The flowers are yellow, and the seeds are black. Ripe seed capsules split to reveal the soft cotton floss. The fibres are long and silky, reaching roughly 1–2 inches (3–5 cm).

Sea Island cotton needs full sun and a long, hot growing season. It grows in both dry and moist tropical and subtropical regions. It prefers daytime temperatures of 22–32°C. Light, rich soil suits it best, but good drainage matters. Sandy and loamy soils both suit the plant. It accepts soil from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. It can also cope with some salt in the soil. Give it shelter from strong winds, which it does not tolerate well.

The plant prefers moist soil while it grows. Commercial crops need ample moisture, then drier weather for harvest. Its preferred annual rainfall is 750–1,250 mm. It is frost-sensitive, and PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12. Gardeners can raise plants from seed or soft stem cuttings. Seeds can start indoors before the last frost. Seed heads should dry on the plant before seed collection. Cleaned seed can be stored for later sowing.

The seed floss supplies fibre for cloth, cord, carpets, and stuffing. It also serves in dressings and tyre fabrics. Sources describe seed flour for baking and seed oil for food. They list leaves as possibly edible, rather than firmly confirmed. PFAF records traditional medicinal uses for roots, bark, and leaves. These include root preparations used to induce abortion. Such records do not establish safe home use. The sources report no known hazards, but give no detailed safety assessment.