Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Swietenia macrophylla King in Hook. (MELIACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Mahogany, Big leaf Mahogany

Description

Large evergreen tree, 30-60 m tall with rounded crown, with diam. reaching 280 cm. Leaves simple pinnate compound with 4-6 leaflets, up to 20 cm long. Flowers white, fragrant. Fruits a dry woody capsule to 40 cm length, splitting open when ripe releasing winged brown seeds that are dispersed by wind.

Ecology

Lowland forest from pine savannah to climax rain forest, mostly in mixed hardwood belts, along riverbanks and on deep alluvial soils.

Distribution

S. America; Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, north through C. America to Mexico.

Uses

Highly valued for its timber, a source for funiture, musical instruments, ships, doors, coffins and decors. Seeds have medicinal uses, however can be toxic if over consumed.