Cotton+Southwest+Asia+5000+BC

Plant Name: Cotton (//Gossypium sp.//) Domestication: Cotton was first domesticated in the Old World about 7,000 years ago. The types are G.arboretum L. and G. Herbaceum L. -G. arboretum L. began in the Indus Valley of India and Pakistan -It then spread over Africa and Asia. -G. herbaceum first was cultivated in Arabia and Syria. A map would be good to show where cotton started out. -Specialists all agreed that the wild progenitor of Herbaceum was of an African species -Arboreum is still unknown, possible origin is Madagascar and the Indus Valley. That is where most of the evidence was found. Biology: **G. Herdaceum was originally found in grasslands**

**-It is a higher plant of its species unlike others that are more shrub shaped**.

-G. Arboreum, on a famous archaeogical site on the Indus River, where fragments of cotton have been dated have to the 4th millenium

Type of plant, what part of the plant do we use, what is its life cycle and cultural requirements. Does it have a relationship with specific insects (pests or partners) that could impact its success?

Human/Plant relationship: How has the plant evolved to be of importance to humans? How important is it to our survival/success? How different is today's version of the plant from its ancestor?

Refection: In a paragraph I want you to describe what you learned and what you wonder about plants and humans. Consider the following in your reflection: How does understanding about this plants and its history relate to your life in a global community? Comment on humans and their control over nature. How has our society's experience of food changed? Provide two questions for further study.