The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
   [1913 Webster]