St. John USVI Flora: American Cotton

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Cotton

Before the “discovery” of the New World, the only cotton available to Europe came from Africa. Since the fibers of this variety of cotton were too short for it to be woven, clothing was usually made from wool.

The Tainos, the people that the European explorers encountered on their voyages to the “New World,” grew a variety of cotton with long fibers, from which they wove fabrics and made hammocks. This discovery must have been a great improvement in the

Cotton

European's quality of life, and now, thanks to the Tainos, people worldwide can enjoy soft, comfortable cotton clothing.

More cotton information