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.