Gossypium barbadense - Web page Navigation - Creole Cotton, Sea Island Cotton Page

Discover the exceptional Gossypium barbadense, one of the esteemed forms of cotton, also known as Sea Island, Egyptian, Pima and extra-long staple (ELS) cotton. Originally hailing from southwest Ecuador and northwest Peru, this species now contributes to around 5% of global cotton production. It stands apart due to its unusually long, silky fibers and grow as a frost-sensitive tropical perennial.

Gossypium barbadense blooms eye-catching yellow flowers and distinctive leaves, typically 3-8 inches long with 3-7 lobes. What distinguishes this cotton from the frequently cultivated G. hirsutum is not just its higher number of lobes, but also the longer length of its lobes, about two-thirds of the leaf compared to only a half of G. hirsutum.

Crafted by nature for brilliance, the cotton flowers of this species are a sight to behold. They offer up to 3 inch long petals, usually in a beautiful shade of yellow. Specifically, Sea Island cotton has creamy yellow petals with a red mark at the base that turn a lovely rose pink as they wither. Moreover, the seeds and fibers of this unique plant form in a three-part capsule called a "bole", with each part producing 5-8 seeds. Experience the unmatched elegance of Gossypium barbadense cotton.