Gossypium barbadense
L., Sp. Pl. 693. 1753; Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 347. 1874.
Annual or perennial undershrubs, shrubs or small trees; branchlets minutely
stellate-hairy, ultimately glabrescent. Leaves orbicular to ovate, cordate at base, deeply
3 -
5-lobed, lobes ovate-oblong, acuminate, sinuses usually thrown into folds; petioles as
long as or slightly longer than lamina; stipules linear to lanceolate or ovate. Flowers
axillary, solitary; pedicels shorter than petioles. Epicalyx segments almost as long·as
broad, orbicular to ovate, cordate at base, laciniate, teeth 10 -
15, triangular to linear·
Calyx cupular, truncate or with 5, obtuse teeth. Corolla pale yellow with a purple tinge;
petals obovate. Staminal column shorter than petals. Capsules ovoid, beaked. Seeds
ovoid with long, white floss and fuzz.
Occasionally cultivated in India. Sometimes cultivated in gardens and homeyards.
Notes. The lint is used for spinning the sacred thread used by some Hindus.
Occasionally cultivated in India. Sometimes cultivated in gardens and homeyards.
Notes. The lint is used for spinning the sacred thread used by some Hindus.
KEY TO THE VARIETIES
| 1a. Capsules 5 - 8 cm long; seeds adhering to each other firmly in a solid column; corolla yellow with crimson centre | 7.1. acuminatum |
| b. Capsules 3 - 5 cm long; seeds free; corolla yellow with purple centre | 7.2. barbadense |
