Honduran mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla, Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 16: t. 1550 (1886))

Family: Meliaceae

Author: King

Bibliography: Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 16: t. 1550 (1886)

Year: 1886

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Swietenia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil

Description

Honduran mahogany, scientifically known as Swietenia macrophylla, is a majestic and highly valued tree species belonging to the Meliaceae family. This remarkable tree is renowned for its premium timber, which is prized for its durability, fine grain, and warm reddish-brown hue. Indigenous to the tropical regions stretching from Mexico down to Bolivia and Brazil, the Honduran mahogany has become a symbol of quality and elegance, often used in fine furniture, cabinetry, and musical instruments.

Originally described in detail in Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 16: t. 1550 in 1886 by King, Swietenia macrophylla embodies both ecological and economic significance. These towering giants of the forest can reach impressive heights, contributing to their irreplaceable role in the canopy structure of their native habitats. The presence of these trees plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, as they provide habitat and food sources for numerous wildlife species.

However, the Honduran mahogany’s desirable characteristics have also led to significant exploitation. Overharvesting for its superior wood has become a pressing environmental concern, prompting initiatives to regulate and sustainably manage its harvest. Conservation efforts are paramount to ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from this irreplaceable resource.

In addition to its commercial value, Swietenia macrophylla holds cultural importance in various regions. Local communities have long utilized the tree for both practical and traditional purposes, including medicine, where various parts of the tree have been used to treat ailments.

Overall, the Honduran mahogany stands as a testament to the rich natural heritage of the tropical Americas and underscores the importance of sustainable practices to preserve this extraordinary tree for the future.

Common Names

Eng: honduran mahogany, honduras mahogany, mahogany, big leaf mahogany, big-leaf mahogany, bigleaf mahogany, brazilian mahogany, large-leaved mahogany
Spa: caoba, mara, mogno
Swe: hondurasmahogny
Por: mogno, araputangá, cedroaraná, cedroi, águano
Khm: គ្រាប់បែក
Fra: mahogani grands feuilles
En: Honduran mahogany, Mahogany, Honduras mahogany, Big Leaf Mahogany, Big-leaf Mahogany, Bigleaf Mahogany, Brazilian Mahogany, Large-leaved Mahogany, Acajou, Aguano, Bi
Fr: Mahogani Grands Feuilles, Acajou, Mahogani du Honduras
Km: គ្រាប់បែក
Pt: Mogno, Araputangá, Cedroaraná, Cedroi, Águano
Pt-br: Aguano, Caóba, Cedro-í, Araputanga, Mogno, Mogno-brasileiro
Es: Aguano, Caoba, Mara, Mogno
Sv: Hondurasmahogny

Synonyms

• Swietenia krukovii (Gleason)
• Swietenia macrophylla var. marabaensis (Ledoux & Lobato)
• Swietenia candollei (Pittier)
• Swietenia tessmannii (Harms)
• Swietenia belizensis (Lundell)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 15, 2021 by J MANIKANDAN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2022 by Leonard Smith (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 16, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 15, 2021 by J MANIKANDAN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 16, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 6, 2014 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by John Tasirin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2020 by Amer Amer Lazim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2020 by Universidad Nacional Sendero Los Matapalos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2020 by Amer Amer Lazim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2021 by Udayasankar Kadimi (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3190484)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:246905-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Swietenia macrophylla King)

Specifications

Growth form>: Single Stem

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth rate>: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.0