Yes, cotton is considered a fruit. The cotton plant produces a fruit called a boll, which contains the seeds from which cotton fibers grow.
Understanding the Cotton Boll
The boll is a segmented pod that develops after the cotton plant flowers. Inside the boll are approximately 32 immature seeds. The cotton fibers, which are commercially valuable, grow from these seeds. Because the boll contains seeds, it meets the botanical definition of a fruit.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion often arises because we primarily associate "fruit" with sweet and edible items. However, botanically, a fruit is simply the mature ovary of a flowering plant that contains seeds. Therefore, even though cotton isn't eaten like typical fruits, its boll is, in fact, a fruit.
Key Takeaways
- Cotton bolls are fruits: They contain the seeds of the cotton plant.
- Botanical Definition: A fruit is defined as the mature ovary of a flowering plant containing seeds.
- Commercial Value: The cotton fibers grow from the seeds within the boll.
