gossypium

‖n. [ NL., fr. L. gossypion, gossipion. ] (Bot.) A genus of plants which yield the cotton of the arts. The species are much confused. G. herbaceum is the name given to the common cotton plant, while the long-stapled sea-island cotton is produced by G. Barbadense, a shrubby variety. There are several other kinds besides these. [ 1913 Webster ]