Gossypium herbaceum, L.

1. G. herbaceum L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 693 (1753).

Woody annual 1-1-5 m, glabrous or sparsely hairy. Leaves c. 11 x 14 cm, cordate, with 3-7 lobes; lobes c. 5 x 5 cm, ovate-orbicular, usually slightly constricted at the base. Epicalyx-segments 2-2-5 cm, broadly deltate-ovate to semicircular, usually at least as wide as long; margin with 6-8 triangular, acute to shortly acuminate teeth, usually less than 3 times as long as wide. Petals yellow, with

purple claw. Filaments 1-2 mm, more or less equal. Capsule 2-3-5 cm, subglobose, shortly beaked. Widely cultivated in S. Europe, especially the E. Mediterranean region, and locally naturalized on disturbed ground. [Al Cr G r Hs It?Ju Rm Si.] (Probably originated in W. Pakistan; cultivated now from India and C. Asia to C. Africa.)

G. arboreum L. , Sp. Pl. 693 (1753) ( G. nanking Meyen ), which differs principally in its more conical capsule and epicalyx segments with only 3-4 teeth, is cultivated locally in Kriti.