Gossypium hirsutum L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2. 975. 1753. G. herbaceum L. var. hirsutum L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2. 975. 1753; Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 347. 1874.

Annual herbs or large, perennial undershrubs, 1 - 3.5 m high; stems much branched, greenish red, densely hairy or glabrous. Leaves 3 - 10 x 3 - 15 cm, more or less orbicular cordade at base,. mostly 3-lobed, sometimes partially 5-lobed, lobes ovate to broadly triangular, acummate at apex, sinuses acute, obtuse or rounded, slightly thrown up in a fold or not, upper leaves sometimes ovate and entire; petioles 2 - 10 cm long; stipules 6 - 12 x 2 - 5 mm, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, often falcate. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicels 1 - 2 cm long. Epicalyx segments 2 - 4 x 1 - 3 cm, broadly ovate, cordate at base, laciniate, teeth 7 - 12, linear to lanceolate. Calyx cupular, 5 - 6 mm high, 4.5 - 5.5 mm across, with 5 rounded acuminate segments, nectaries distinct on veins. Corolla yellow to yellowish-white, rarely with purple centre; petals 4 - 6 x3.5 - 4.5 mm, obovate. Staminal column 1 - 2 cm long. Capsules 3 - 4 x 2 - 3 cm, ovoid or rarely globular, 3 - 5-loculed. Seed 3 - 5 mm long, ovoid, with copius floss and fuzz. In India large scale cultivation of this species (American Cottons) is mainly in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Introduced from tropical America in most tropical countries of the old world including India.

Notes. Hutchinson (1951) recognized 7 geographical races under this species. These are mourrilli, richmondii, palmeri, punctatum, yucatenense, marie-galante and latifolium. In India the land races latifolium and marie-galante are extensively cultivated, the former is agriculturally most important as it includes upland cottons grown in America, Asia and Africa.