Hello, I'm a botanist with a keen interest in the origins and cultivation of various crops, including cotton. Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plant. The plant is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.

Cotton is primarily derived from two species of the genus Gossypium: Gossypium hirsutum, which is one of the most widely cultivated in the world and is also known as upland cotton, and Gossypium barbadense, which is known as extra-long staple (ELS) cotton or Pima cotton. These plants are annuals in the Malvaceae, or mallow family.

The history of cotton dates back thousands of years, with evidence of its use found in the Indus Valley Civilization. It was also grown in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans. Today, the largest producers of cotton are China, India, the United States, and Pakistan.

Cotton is grown for a variety of uses, primarily as a textile fiber which is spun into thread and woven into fabrics. It's valued for its softness, breathability, and durability.

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Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds. The plant is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, and India. The greatest diversity of wild cotton species is found in Mexico, followed by Australia and Africa.read more >>