Swietenia macrophylla, commonly known as mahogany, Honduran mahogany, Honduras mahogany, or big-leaf mahogany is a species of plant in the Meliaceae family. It is one of three species in genus Swietenia that yield genuine mahogany timber, the others being Swietenia mahagoni and Swietenia humilis. It is native to South America, Mexico and Central America, but naturalized in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Hawaii, and cultivated in plantations and wind-breaks elsewhere.
Description
Mahogany wood is strong and is usually a source for furniture, musical instruments, ships, doors, coffins, decors.
It also provides high chatoyance, with an average value above 20 PZC.
Honduran mahogany is characterised by its large leaves, up to 45 cm (17 in) long. The leaflets are even in number and are connected by a central midrib.
The fruits are called "sky fruits" because of their upward growth toward the sky. The fruits of mahogany can reach 40 cm (15.7 in) in length, in a light grey to brown capsule. Each fruit capsule may contain 71 winged seeds.
The seeds of Honduran mahogany can reach 7 to 12 cm (2.7 to 4.7 in) long.
Wood
Mahogany wood is strong and is usually a source for furniture, musical instruments, ships, doors, coffins, decors.
It also provides high chatoyance, with an average value above 20 PZC.
Leaves
Honduran mahogany is characterised by its large leaves, up to 45 cm (17 in) long. The leaflets are even in number and are connected by a central midrib.
Fruits
The fruits are called "sky fruits" because of their upward growth toward the sky. The fruits of mahogany can reach 40 cm (15.7 in) in length, in a light grey to brown capsule. Each fruit capsule may contain 71 winged seeds.
Seeds
The seeds of Honduran mahogany can reach 7 to 12 cm (2.7 to 4.7 in) long.
