It's Cotton Season in Anguilla

Cotton Plants Sandy Ground Village

Cotton has been a part of Anguilla for as long as anyone can remember. A Handbook History of Anguilla by Coville L. Petty (1991), shows the following citation:

“1658: It was reported that Anguilla’s cotton was widely prized by experts in the trade.”

I learned that the particularly long fiber strands containing black seeds were what made Anguilla’s cotton so special. The Cotton Gin in The Valley is a stark reminder of its presence in Anguillan society.

Like most crops in Anguilla, the dry conditions made it difficult to grow cotton. Thus it was not an economic driver.

Today cotton plants continue to dot the island, especially in places with less development. Forest Bay and Sandy Ground quickly pop into my mind when I think of the best places to see them.

I was given three cotton plants as a gift last year by an Anguillan friend and all three plants are producing cotton bolls. He noted that in his youth, he collected the cotton from the plants to stuff pillows that his neighbor made.

The cotton plants we see today are used in the nests of a variety of bird species in Anguilla.

Cotten in Bananaquit Nest

Although I have used this photograph in a previous post, it is a perfect example of cotton fibers being used in a bird nest.

Cotton plants are not without their issues. They are susceptible to a bug called a Cotton Stainer (Dysdercus suturellus). The aptly named “Red Bugs” attack the developing Cotton Bolls making them useless. They leave a residue on the cotton fibers - thus the name Cotton Stainer. In an economic environment, the stains on the fibers reduce their value.

Like most pests, it is best to remove them before the infestation gets too large. Soapy water appears to be a remedy.

Cotton is a tangible reminder of Anguilla’s storied history that has found a useful purpose even today.

Have you seen Anguilla’s cotton plants? I would love to hear about it.