Npn-plant

upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

  • When to observe: Year-round
  • What to observe: Flowers, Fruits, and Leaves
  • Where to observe:
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Upland cotton is a USA-NPN regional plant species. Regional species are ecologically or economically important but are distributed more locally than calibration species. The NPN integrates these observations to understand better plant responses within the different geographic regions of the nation.
Upland cotton is subshrub, shrub to small tree growing up to 5 feet tall. When cultivated, it is typically an annual plant; the wild genotypes are generally perennial. Wild plants rarely bloom in the first year. Flowers have male and female parts within the same blossom. Upland cotton is typically cultivated and is intolerant of shade and frost.
You should observe...
Here are the phenophases you should observe about this plant.
Leaves Initial growth

New growth of the plant is visible, either from above-ground buds with green tips, or new green or white shoots breaking through the soil surface. Growth is considered "initial" on each bud or shoot until the first leaf has fully unfolded.
Leaves

In at least one location on the plant, a fully unfolded leaf is visible. For seedlings, consider only true leaves and do not count the cotyledons (one or two small, round leaves) that are found on the stem almost immediately after the seedling emerges.
Flowers Flowers

One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried.
Open flowers

One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant.

Fruits Fruits

One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant.
Ripe fruits

One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant.

Recent fruit drop

One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind.
If drought seems to be the cause of leaf senescence for a plant, please make a comment about it for that observation.
Over 85% of the commercial cotton grown is developed from the species Gossypium hirsutum. Its oil and cottonseed meal (used for livestock feed) are also very important commercially. In addition, the plant is used medicinally.

Gardens with this plant

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