Plant Profile: Gossypium hirsutum

Upland Cotton is the predominant type of cotton cultivated worldwide, accounting for 90% of global production. The seeds of this cotton are processed to extract cottonseed oil, which is commonly used in various cooking products, including margarine and cooking oils.

As a member of the mallow family, Upland Cotton can be classified as either an annual or perennial subshrub, exhibiting diverse growth patterns. Typically, it grows to a height of about 5 feet and features two types of branches; the fruiting branches are responsible for producing both flowers and cotton bolls. In July, large, cup-shaped flowers, which can be yellow or white, bloom, eventually giving way to the cotton bolls that house the fibers and seeds.

This plant is adaptable to a variety of well-drained soils, including those with moderate salinity. It thrives in full sunlight and is primarily cultivated as an annual crop.