Common Name: Sea Island Cotton

General Information

Sea Island cotton is an evergreen perennial plant with few or many strong, ascending stems that become more or less woody. It grows about 3 metres tall. This species has been in cultivation for so long that its region of origin is uncertain, but was possibly Peru[].
The plant is widely grown in many tropical to warm temperate regions for the seed floss which is used to make cloth[]. It is also sometimes grown as an ornamental plant[]. An annual form of the plant, known as 'Sea Island' cotton, yields the highest quality lint of any cotton[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western S. America.

Habitat

Not known in the wild

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Sea Island cotton can be grown in the dry to moist tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. For commercial production it requires a climate that has a long, hot growing season with abundant moisture, followed by a drier period for harvesting the seed floss[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 32°c, but can tolerate 15 - 38°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 750 - 1,250mm, but tolerates 500 - 1,500mm[].
Prefers a very sunny position in a light, fertile soil[]. Plants can tolerate a range of well-drained soils, including moderate levels of salt[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.2 - 7.2, tolerating 5 - 8.5[]. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - probably edible[].

Seed - ground into a flour and added to bakery products[].

An oil obtained from the seed is used in salads, canned goods and manufactured into margarine[].

Medicinal

The root is abortifacient, emetic and emmenagogue[] An infusion of the root bark is used to treat difficult or irregular menstruation[]. The pulverised roots are used to procure an abortion[].

The stem bark is used in a preparation to strengthen the womb[].

The leaves are antipruritic, diuretic and hypotensive[]. Leaves of the red variety of cotton are used for treating high blood pressure; abdominal cramps and pain; menstrual problems; painful ovaries; and difficult expulsion of afterbirth[].
Applied externally, the leaves are macerated in oil to make a poultice that is used to soothe an overheated person[]. An infusion of the leaf juice is used to treat skin rash and children's cramps[]. The juice from macerated leaves is used as wash to treat itchy skin[]. Juice from the macerated leaves is warmed and used as a medicament for 'bush yaws'[].

The flower buds are used as an auricular analgesic[].

The seeds are crushed, and the juice given to babies as a treatment for thrush[].

The seed fibres are laxative and pectoral[]. They are used to treat diarrhoea and thrush[].
Applied externally, they are used to make a dressing on wounds[].

The pressed cotton cake contains gossypol, which is used clinically as a male contraceptive[]. Gossypol is a toxic polyphenolic bisesquiterpene which may have antifertility and antiviral properties[].

Other Uses

The fibre obtained from the seed floss is the longest of any cotton species[]. It is 3 - 5cm long, strong and of excellent quality[]. Cotton fibres have a wide range of used including making clothes; rubber-tyre fabrics; stuffing material for pillows, cushions etc; surgical dressings; making twine and ropes; carpets etc[].

Propagation

Seed -

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