Gossypium barbadense L., Malvaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Evaluate, score: 5 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Gossypium brasiliense Macfad.; Gossypium peruvianum Cav.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: algodon, atgodon

Chinese: hai dao mian

English: American Pima cotton, American-Egyptian cotton, Brazilian cotton, Egyptian cotton, Gallini cotton, Peruvian cotton, Pima cotton, cotton, kidney cotton, long-staple cotton, sea island cotton, upland cotton

Fijian: vauvau, vauvau ni vavalangi

French: coton des Indes Occidentales, cotonnier d'Egypte

Hawaiian: kī‘ailana, pulupulu, pulupulu haole

I-Kiribati: te baobao, te baubau

Mangarevan: komiro ina, komorio iva

Maori (Cook Islands): vavaī, vavaī papa‘ā, vavai

Marquesan: aavaih, uru

Marshallese: kotin

Nauruan: duwoduwo

Niuean: vavae

Pohnpeian: koatun

Samoan: vavae, vavae pālagi

Spanish: algodón, algodonero de las Barbados

Tahitian: evavai, vavai, vavay

Tongan: vavae, vavae tonga

Wallisian: vavae, vavai

Habit:  shrub

Description:  "Shrubs or annual subshrubs 1-2 (-3) m tall, glabrous to sparsely stellate pubescent.  Leaf blades usually somewhat wider than long, 5-15 cm wide, cut usually beyond the middle into 3, 5 or 7 lobes, the lobes lanceolate to ovate, acuminate, midvein on lower surface with a basal gland, stipules 1-5 cm long.  Flowers solitary or in sympodial inflorescences, pedicels 1-4 cm long, with 3 subterminal, fringed nectaries; involucral bracts ovate, usually 40-50 (-65) mm long, lacerate, the teeth 5-17, acuminate from the base and separated by rounded sinuses; calyx usually truncate, 0.7-1 cm long; petals usually yellow with a basal maroon spot, fading pinkish purple, 5-8 cm long.  Capsules 3-celled, narrowly ovoid, tapering to an acute tip, (2.5-) 3-5 cm long, pitted black punctate.  Seeds several per cell, distinct or connate, lint copious, white"  (Wagner et al., 1999; pp. 875-876).

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in dry, disturbed areas, 10-200 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; pp. 875-876).  In Niue, it grows in most of the villages and sometimes forms quite large clumps" (Sykes, 1970; pp. 111-112).  In Guam, "occasionally seen escaped from cultivation" (Stone, 1970; p. 409).  In Fiji, "persists infrequently as a shrub or small tree" (Smith, 1981; pp. 430-431).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Ecuador and Peru; widely cultivated (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ofu Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1945) (p. 51) Voucher cited: Garber 1105 (BISH)
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ta‘u Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1945) (p. 51) Voucher cited: Yuncker 9217 (BISH)
Chile (offshore islands) Rapa Nui (Easter) Island	Rapa Nui (Easter) Island (Isla de Pasqua)	introduced cultivated	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2008) (p. 40)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160) ?
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Aguijan (Agiguan, Aguihan) Island		Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Maug Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160) ?
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Pagan Island		Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Fefan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island		Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Glassman, S. F. (1952) (p. 67)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced cultivated	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 107) Vouchers cited: E.Y. Hosaka 3531 (PTBG), N.L.H. Krauss 1895C (BISH)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1946) (voucher ID: PTBG 22137) Taxon name on voucher: Gossypium barbadense
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island		Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ongea Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 430-431) Voucher Cited: Bryan 421
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 430-431) Voucher Cited: Smith 6626
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Mbalavu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 430-431) Voucher Cited: DA 13259
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Akamaru Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Akamaru Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Akamaru Island	introduced	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 19) Voucher cited: St. John 14707 (BISH)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced cultivated	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 19) Voucher cited: Fosberg 11079 (BISH)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hatuta'a (Hatutu) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hatuta'a (Hatutu) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hatuta'a (Hatutu) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 8508 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Tahuata (Tuhuata) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 39548) Taxon name on voucher: Gossypium barbadense
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 44721) Taxon name on voucher: Gossypium barbadense
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 174) Voucher cited: Grant 5067
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence & R. Tahuaitu 11665 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987) (p. 46) Voucher cited: Fosberg 64937 (US) Possibly persisting from planting.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 174) Voucher cited: H.M. Smith 102
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 174) Vouchers cited: Moore 564, BRY 26468
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J.W. Moore 564 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 174) Voucher cited: Setchell & Parks 141
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Rangiroa (Rairoa) Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Takapoto Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Takapoto Atoll	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rimatara (Rimitara) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Tubuai Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Tubuai Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 409) Escaped from cultivation.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 874-876)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 874-876)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 874-876)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 874-876)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Ni‘ihau Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 874-876)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 874-876)
Kiribati Kiribati	Kiribati (Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Thaman, R. R. (1987) (p. 25)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Jaluit (Jãlwõj) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 101) Not seen on this survey and may no longer be present.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R. (1955) (p. 13) Seen in nursery.
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll		Anderson, Donald (1951) (p. iii) Voucher cited: Anderson 3685
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll	introduced	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2007) (p. 9) Not observed on this survey. "Possibly planted experimentally around Ine village, where Anderson did most of his collecting, but did not survive, although it possible could be present and not found during recent survey; previously recorded on Majuro, Kwajalein and Jaluit where it did not survive".
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Likiep Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. Raymond (1990) (p. 36)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 105) Presumably extirpated.
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	St. John, Harold (1951) (p. 284)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Mejit (Mãjej) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. Raymond (1990) (p. 36)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Utirik (Utrik, Utrõk) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Utirik (Utrik, Utrõk) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R. (1955) (p. 13) Voucher cited: Fosberg 33656 (US)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 160)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 162) Not seen or collected since 1935.
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Îles Ouvéa (Ouvea Atoll)	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 97) Gossypium sp.; voucher cited: MacKee 18879 Spontané
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Tiga	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 97) Gossypium sp.; voucher cited: MacKee 45929
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 97) Gossypium sp.; vouchers cited: MacKee 29348, Létocart in MacKee 37262, Cherrier in MacKee 40855 Spontané
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (pp. 111-112) Vouchers cited: CHR 170319, 170320, 170321
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 84) Uncommon. Voucher cited: Yuncker 9858 (BISH)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 43)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 101)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island		Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago		Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 369) Cultivated experimentally and some plants remain; also about the villages of the natives.
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (pp. 187-189)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 185) As Gossypium brasiliense Macfayden, cited from Crosby.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Cultivated; below 1500 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan.
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 115) Naturalized
Maldives Maldive Islands	Malè Atoll	cultivated	Fosberg, F. R. (1957) (p. 26) "Sparingly cultivated in whole group".

Control:  If you know of control methods for Gossypium barbadense, please let us know.