Gossypium hirsutum L.
Descripción
Shrubs 1-2 m (or more) tall, usually widely branching, more or less stellate- pubescent. Leaf blades mostly 4-10 cm long, cordate, weakly 3-5-lobed, the lobes broadly triangular to ovate, acute to acuminate, densely pubescent to glabrous, foliar nectaries present; petioles 1/2-1 times the length of the blades; stipules 0.5-1.5- 2cm long, the subulate or falcate. Flowers usually in sympodial inflorescences; pedicels 2-4 cm long, surmounted by 3 nectaries; bracts of the involucel 2-4.5 cm long, inserted above each nectary, foliaceous (enclosing the bud), ovate, cordate, 3-19-laciniate, persistent; calyx 5-6 mm long (excluding teeth), truncate or 5- toothed; corolla cream-colored or pale yellow, with or without a dark spot at base, petals 2-5 cm long; staminal column (1-) 1.5 cm long; style more or less enclosed by androecium or somewhat exceeding androecium. Capsules 2-4 cm long, broadly ovoid or subglobose, 3~5-ceiled, glabrous, smooth; seeds 8-10 mm long, several per locule, lanate, the seed hairs (cotton) white, tan, or red-brown. Chromosome number: 2n = 52.A
Distribución
México (país) Nativo y no endémicoA
Ecología y Hábitat
Occurs nearly throughout Mexico, at least at relatively low elevation. It is the subject of large-scale commercial agriculture in certain areas (e.g., around Torreón, Coahuila). It is often grown in houseyard cultivation and frequently grows feral, and it also occurs (rarely) as a part of the indigenous shrubby vegetation of the littoral zone, especially on the Gulf coast from Yucatán to Tamaulipas. It flowers at most seasons of the year.A
Tipo de vegetación
Matorral de otro tipoA
Categoría IUCN
Vulnerable (VU)B
Categoría NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010
Sujeta a protección especial (Pr)C