Gossypium \Gos*syp"i*um\, 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]