The term "cotton" refers generally to the soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of plants of the Gossypium genus. While "cotton" itself is a common name for this fiber and the plants that produce it, different species of cotton plants have specific scientific names.
According to the provided reference, one specific type of cotton is identified with its scientific name:
Scientific Name from Reference
The reference states: "Cotton (Gossypium herbaceum Linnaeus)..."
This indicates that Gossypium herbaceum Linnaeus is a full scientific name associated with Cotton, specifically referring to the species Gossypium herbaceum.
- Genus: Gossypium
- Species: herbaceum
- Authority: Linnaeus (indicating Carl Linnaeus formally described this species)
Historical Context
The reference notes that this specific type of cotton, Gossypium herbaceum Linnaeus, may have a long history of human use:
- Domestication: Potentially domesticated as early as 5000 BC.
- Location: Near the Middle Nile Basin region in eastern Sudan.
- Activity: Where cotton cloth was being produced.
While Gossypium herbaceum is a significant species, it is one among many species within the Gossypium genus that are cultivated for cotton fiber. Today, species like Gossypium hirsutum (Upland cotton) are more widely cultivated globally, but Gossypium herbaceum is historically important and is specifically named in the reference provided.
Therefore, based on the reference, a full scientific name associated with "Cotton" is Gossypium herbaceum Linnaeus.
