Virtual Cotton Fruiting Branch

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Fruiting branches of cotton are sympodial. That is, the true apical bud at each node develops into a square (flower bud), leaving an axillary (side) bud to take over as apex of the branch. The axillary bud is at an angle to its parent internode, resulting in the branch having a zig-zag shape. Flower petals are white on the first day a flower is open, turn pink, and fall off as the boll (fruit) starts to fill. Mature bolls split open and the white cotton lint inside fluffs out ready for harvest.

Last updated: Jim Hanan, 15 January 1997.