The genus "Gossypium" encompasses the cottons. The genus can be divided by chromosome count. Subgenus Karpas has 52 chromosomes (four sets of 13). This subgenus encompasses "G. barbadense", along with G. hirsutum and a few other New World cottons. In comparison, the commercially important Old World cottons have 26 chromosomes. Most botanists that study "Gossypium" believe the group of cottons with 52 chromosomes form a clade. In other words, "G. barbadense", "G. hirsutum", and a few other New World cotton species arose from the same ancestor.