Cuban Mahogany
Swietenia mahogani

Family: Meliaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. Sometimes it loses its leaves for a short period. It can grow 30 m high. The trunk branches at the top. The leaves are long and divided into leaflets along the stalk. There are 4-5 oval leaflets which taper to the tip. The flowers are small and yellow-white. They grow in panicles in the axils of leaves. The fruit are woody capsules. The fruit are large and these open at the base to release a number of winged seeds. The fruit open in 5 sections. The seeds are flat and have wings.

There are 3 Swietenia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to S Florida, the Caribbean and the West Indies. It grows in humid and dry lowland woodland. It often grows in seasonally flooded areas. It will grow in limestone soils. It is a tropical plant. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Yunnan. In Townsville Queens BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Central America, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indochina, Jamaica, Laos, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Pacific, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tropical America, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Poisonous

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by rooting cuttings in a hotbed.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Cheriamahogany, Ciminukku, Jamaica Mahogany, Mahaagonichekka, Mahaagonichettu, Mahagni, Mahagoni, Mahoni, Puerto Rico Mahogany, Spanish Mahogany

Synonyms

Cedrela mahogani L.;