Gossypium (plant genus)

Gossypium is a genus of flowering plants known commonly as cotton. These shrubs and small trees produce fibrous bolls that contain soft, fluffy fibers used to make textiles. The most well-known species, like Gossypium hirsutum, provides the primary cotton fiber used worldwide. Cotton plants thrive in warm, subtropical climates and require specific conditions for fiber quality. Beyond textile production, cotton also has uses in paper, oil, and animal feed. As a major agricultural crop, Gossypium plays a vital role economically, domestically, and globally, while also having ecological considerations such as water use and pest management.