Why do cotton plants produce cotton?

[Joe_Mahma]

This question occurred to me while I was looking at a picture of a cotton field today. What advantage is there for the plant?

[EvilGhandi]

Look at a dandelion. Or perhaps a grape. Both plants use a different method but the goal is the same, seed dispersal.

[Joe_Mahma]

@EvilGhandi

Look at a dandelion. Or perhaps a grape. Both plants use a different method but the goal is the same, seed dispersal.

I’m feeling unusually stupid today. How does cotton aid in seed dispersal?

[MrFantsyPants]

@Joe Mahma

I’m feeling unusually stupid today. How does cotton aid in seed dispersal?

Wind carries light fluffy objects. Think dandelion seeds

[vetbridge]

@Joe Mahma

Why do cotton plants produce cotton

Well, rayon and dacron polyester blends would be tacky…um, no. Here is why.

Seed dispersal as stated by EvilGhandi. The white fluff carries tiny attached seeds in the wind. Cite: http://www.saburchill.com/chapters/chap0045.html

The cotton plant produces fruits with fine white hairs which we use to make material for clothes

[Q.E.D]

In case you were curious (I was), there are many other plants that use cotton or cotton-like materials to disperse seeds as well:

Cottony seeds and fruits include seeds and minute seed capsules with a tuft (coma) of cottony hairs at one end, or seeds embedded in a cottony mass. Some of the examples in this group are very similar in function to parachute seeds, but probably are not carried as far by the wind. Many plant families have this type of wind dispersal, including the Willow Family (Salicaceae): Willows (Salix) and Cottonwoods (Populus); Cattail Family (Typhaceae): Cattails (Typha); Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae): Willow-Herb (Epilobium) and California fuchsia (Zauschneria); Bombax Family (Bombaceae): Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) and floss silk tree (Chorisia speciosa); and the Sycamore Family (Platanaceae): Sycamore (Platanus).

From here.

[Joe_Mahma]

Thanks, all. It appears obvious in retrospect.

[DrFidelius]

Also, the domestic cotton plants have been bred to produce far more fibre than their wild forebears. Cotton plants produce cotton for seed dispersal; they produce as much cotton as they do because we wanted them to do so.