Gossypium herbaceum aka Arabian Cotton

Gossypium herbaceum is also known as Levant cotton. It is part of the mallow family. Kew gives its native range as southern tropical and southern Africa. Kew also lists a range from Syria to Afghanistan. Other sources differ on its origin and wild status. Useful Tropical Plants suggests it comes from southern Africa. Yet that source reports only plants grown as crops. Farmers grow it for cotton in Africa, India and the Middle East.

This shrub can live for one year or many years. Garden plants reach about 5–6 feet (1.5–1.83 m) tall. They can spread to 6 feet (1.83 m). Broad, hairy leaves have three to seven lobes. Their bases form a heart shape. Their leaf stalks have red tints. Each flower has five petals and looks like a hibiscus bloom. Missouri Botanical Garden lists white, yellow and pink flowers. It gives June to July as the bloom season. Seed capsules, which are pods, hold the cotton floss. Both flowers and fruit can add interest to a garden.

Levant cotton needs full sun and a long, hot summer. Give it rich soil that drains well but stays moist. It accepts a range of soils and some salt. Useful Tropical Plants gives a preferred soil pH of 6–7.2. It also reports that the plant accepts a wider pH range. The crop does best with shelter from strong winds. Moist weather helps it grow. Drier weather helps with the cotton harvest. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 9–11. It warns that frost harms the plants. Growers can raise it as a one-year crop in colder areas. Those who grow it for sale also use one-year crops.

Its main value lies in its short cotton fibres. These supply cloth, stuffing and dressings. They also supply rope and other goods. The stems can supply paper. Seed oil goes into soap. Petals yield yellow and brown dyes. The flowers and fruit are showy. Even so, gardeners seldom grow it for display. Boll weevils and bollworms are among its pests. Aphids, whiteflies and thrips can also attack it. Other pests include cutworms, armyworms, loopers and spider mites. Rots and wilts can cause more problems. Nematodes can cause problems too.

Sources record food uses for leaves, roasted seeds and seed oil. Roasted seeds also take the place of coffee. These uses need a clear safety warning. The plant contains gossypol. Seed oil raises a specific concern about this substance. Sources link eating it to lower sperm levels. They also link it to possible loss of male fertility. Oil for food use usually goes through treatment to remove gossypol. Records of herbal use describe effects on fever and inflammation. They also describe effects on contractions of the womb. These records do not prove that home use is safe.