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[Names] Gu Bei (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Gu Zhong.
Li Shizhen stated: There are two types of Mian (Cotton): the one resembling a tree is called Gu Bei, and the one resembling a herb is called Gu Zhong.
Some write it as Ji Bei, which is an error for Gu Bei. In Sanskrit texts, it is referred to as Po, also known as Jia Luo Po Jie.

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen stated: Mian (Cotton) has both woody and herbaceous varieties. The Mian found in Jiao (Jiaozhi) and Guang (Guangzhou) regions grows into trees as large as two people embracing. Its branches resemble those of the Paulownia tree. Its leaves are large, similar to walnut leaves. It flowers in autumn; the flowers are red like Camellia flowers, with yellow stamens, thick petals, and numerous fruits that grow closely together. The fruit is fist-sized, containing white floss within which are seeds. People today call it Ban Zhi Hua (Spotted Branch Flower), erroneously pronounced as Pan Hua Shan. Li Yanshou's *History of the Southern Dynasties* mentions that countries such as Lin Yi produce Gu Bei flowers, the interior of which resembles goose down; drawing out the fibers allows them to be spun into cloth. Zhang Bo's *Records of Wu* describes Mian trees in Jiaozhi and Yongchang that exceed the height of houses and do not shed bark for over ten years; their fruits are cup-sized, and the soft white floss within the flowers can be used for stuffing or making woolen cloth. These all refer to the tree-like variety of Mian.
The Mian planted in Jiangnan and north of the Huai River is sown in April. Its stems are weak and vine-like, reaching heights of four or five chi. The leaves have three points like maple leaves. It blooms in autumn with yellow flowers, smaller than sunflowers, though some are red or purple. The fruits are peach-sized, containing white floss with seeds inside, the size of Sophora seeds. Some varieties have purple floss. Harvested in August, it is called Mian Hua (Cotton). Li Yanshou's *History of the Southern Dynasties* notes that in Gao Chang State, there was a grass whose fruits resembled cocoons, yielding fine silk named Bai Die, used to make fabric that was very soft and white. Shen Huaiyuan's *Records of Southern Yue* states that Gui Zhou produced Gu Zhong vines; their fruits resembled goose down, with pits like pearls. Extracting the pits and spinning them yielded silk-like material, which was dyed into patterned cloth. These all refer to the herbaceous variety of Mian. This species originated from the Southern Seas and only entered Jiangnan towards the end of the Song Dynasty; now it is widespread in Jiangbei and the Central Plains. It provides floss without silkworms and cloth without hemp, benefiting the whole world; its utility is indeed great.
Furthermore, *Records of Southern Yue* records that the various barbarian tribes of Nanzhao did not raise silkworms but collected white floss from Sapo (Kapok) tree pods, stitching it into thread and weaving it into fabric named Suo Luo Long Duan. Zhu Mu's *Fangyu Zhi* records that Ping Mian produced Sapo trees, some reaching thirty to fifty zhang in height, bearing pods with floss that could be stitched and woven into white felt Dou Luo Jin (Kapok brocade). These are also varieties of Ban Zhi Hua, differing only in local names.

[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Metrorrhagia and traumatic injuries caused by metal weapons; burnt to ash for use (Li Shizhen).

Seed Oil (Obtained by distilling seeds in two combined vessels.)
[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, hot, slightly toxic.
[Indications] Malignant sores, scabies, and tinea. Burning it as a lamp damages the eyes (Li Shizhen).