Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor percentages of waxes, fats, pectins, and water. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds.
Cotton can also be woven into threads. Known for being lightweight and breathable, cotton is an industry standard for textile production, being used for many different products. The material is also very absorbent, which makes it useful in certain cleaning products. Additionally, cotton is famously non-allergenic, meaning that any garments made of the material can be worn with no adverse effects.
Unlike wool, cotton is composed of plant fibers, meaning the material is notoriously flammable and can easily and quickly catch alight.
Current estimates for world production are about 25 million tonnes or 110 million bales annually, accounting for 2.5% of the world's arable land. India is the world's largest producer of cotton. The United States has been the largest exporter for many years.
Trivia[]
- Barometz grow cotton on their bodies similarly to Pan wool.
- While she does acknowledge it's versatility, Rachnera Arachnera still considers Barometz cotton as an inferior material when compared to Arachne Spider Silk. However, Rachnera only expresses her opinion about the material in Monster Musume I ♥ Monster Girls Volume 3, a spin-off series that can only be viewed as semi-canonical, so it is not known whether Rachnera also has the same opinion about the cotton in the manga series.
- Cotton is one of the best materials to make clothes suitable for the tropics and worn against the skin because it absorbs sweat easily and is very comfortable, respectively.