The cotton plant, scientifically known as Gossypium, is widely recognized for its soft, fibrous material. While many might picture a large tree, it typically grows as a shrub or a relatively small plant, particularly in commercial cultivation. It undergoes a distinct growth cycle, transforming from a green, leafy bush to one adorned with fluffy white fibers.
Overall Stature and Growth Habit
A cotton plant generally presents as a bushy shrub, cultivated commercially as an annual plant. It commonly reaches a height of about 1.2 to 2.4 meters (4 to 8 feet), though some varieties can grow taller, occasionally up to 4.5 meters (15 feet) or even 6 meters (20 feet) in tropical climates when not harvested annually. The plant develops a prominent central stem, from which numerous branches extend, creating a dense canopy.
Beneath the soil, cotton plants establish a robust taproot system that can extend deep into the ground, often reaching depths of 1.5 meters (nearly 5 feet). This deep root structure helps the plant access water and nutrients, supporting its growth and development.
Leaves and Flowers
The foliage of a cotton plant consists of broad, green leaves that are palmate, meaning they are hand-shaped with three to five distinct lobes. These leaves can vary in texture, ranging from almost smooth to noticeably hairy, and their color can range from light to dark green depending on the specific variety and growing conditions. Some leaves may also exhibit reddish veins or serrated edges.
Cotton flowers emerge from specialized structures called squares, which are the plant’s flower buds, appearing about three weeks before blooming. These flowers resemble those of the hibiscus, as both belong to the mallow family. They have five petals and initially display a creamy white or pale yellow color when they first open.
A distinctive feature of cotton flowers is their color change after pollination; within a day or two, they transform from white or cream to a pink, red, or even fuchsia hue. These blooms are short-lived, often opening in the morning and withering by the afternoon of the same day. After this brief period, the fertilized flower will drop off, making way for the development of the cotton boll.
The Cotton Boll
The cotton boll is the plant’s most recognizable feature, representing the fruit that encapsulates the valuable fibers. Initially, the boll appears as a small, green, and often triangular or round capsule that forms after the flower drops. As it matures, the boll increases in size and undergoes a color change, transitioning from green to a yellowish-green, then to brown.
This maturation process takes about 55 to 80 days from the time of flowering. During this period, the fibers inside the boll elongate and thicken, filling the protective capsule. When fully mature, the dried boll naturally splits open, usually into three to five sections, to reveal the soft, fluffy white fibers within.
The visible cotton is a mass of creamy-white fibers, known as lint, which are attached to the seeds nestled inside the boll. Each boll contains multiple seeds, ranging from 12 to 45. Thousands of tiny fibers, each composed primarily of cellulose, grow from the surface of each seed, contributing to the familiar texture and appearance of raw cotton.