The 4 main types

4 kinds among more than 50 kinds

There are currently around 50 types of cotton that find their home in the tropics and subtropics. These include both annual and perennial specimens. But only 4 species are of importance for culture today.

Gossypium hirsutum

This type, also known as highland cotton or upland cotton, accounts for 90% of world production. This makes it the most important supplier of cotton fibers. It is grown all over the world.

Gossypium hirsutum is native to America. The plant grows to a height of between 150 and 200 cm. Its flowers are white to yellowish and blush when they fade. The fibers of this cotton are 25 to 30 mm long. The longer fibers are white and the shorter fibers are colored light gray.

Gossypium herbaceum

The second most important type of cotton is called Gossypium herbaceum or Levante cotton. It is believed to come from Southwest Asia and is now mainly found in China, India and Pakistan cultivated.

As a rule, this species is cultivated as an annual. Their fibers are short and coarse. This means that it is considered to be of less quality in terms of quality. The plant reaches a height of up to 150 cm. The petals of its flowers are yellowish and have a reddish spot at the base.

Gossypium arboreum

These are the characteristics of Gossypium arboreum (Tree cotton):

• coming from India and Sri Lanka
• shrub to tree-shaped growth
• Growing 2 to 3 m high
• perennial
• yellow flowers
• provides long white fibers and short fibers

Gossypium barbadense

Here are the characteristics of the fourth species, which is mainly grown in India, Peru and Egypt:

• Growing 2 to 3 m high
• Shrub or subshrub
• Flowers: light yellow with dark red spots
• accounts for 8% of the world's harvest
• has fibers with a length of over 32 mm
• used for the production of high quality textiles
• Other names: Sea Island cotton, Pima cotton