# Mahogany (*Swietenia mahagoni*)

Mahogany trees are tall and strong with beautiful reddish-brown wood. They grow in tropical forests and provide homes for many animals.

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Tropical forests
- **Also known as:** Mahogany Tree, Swietenia

![Mahogany](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tree_in_new_leaves_I_IMG_6222.jpg&width=800)

Photo: J.M.Garg, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_in_new_leaves_I_IMG_6222.jpg)

## Appearance

The Mahogany is a majestic tropical tree with a tall, straight trunk covered in reddish-brown bark that flakes off in large plates. Its dense canopy holds dark green, pinnate leaves, sometimes showing reddish new growth, giving it a stately appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Sapindales
- **Family:** Meliaceae
- **Genus:** Swietenia

## Interesting facts

- Even though it's a tree, its tiny flowers produce a sweet perfume!
- Its valuable reddish wood was once called 'red gold' by treasure-seeking explorers!
- Mahogany trees can grow so tall, they reach higher than a 15-story building!
- Many famous musical instruments, like guitars, use mahogany for their rich sound!

## Special abilities

- **Rot Resistance:** Mahogany has wood naturally resistant to decay and insects, helping it stand strong for centuries even in humid rainforests.
- **Gliding Seeds:** Mahogany seeds have clever 'wings' that make them spin and glide away from the parent tree, finding new places to grow.
- **Deep Roots:** Mahogany has deep roots to access groundwater during dry spells, helping it survive seasonal droughts in its habitat.
- **Fast Starter:** Young Mahogany trees can grow quickly, allowing them to rapidly reach for sunlight in dense, competitive forests.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-60 m
- **Spread:** 15-30 m
- **Edible:** No
- **Size:** 100-250 cm
- **Lifespan:** 200-350 years
- **Fruit Type:** Woody capsule
- **Growth Rate:** Medium
- **Leaf Type:** Evergreen

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Scarlet Macaw](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scarlet-macaw) (*Ara macao*) — eats seeds from its woody capsules
- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar from its small flowers
- **Shelter:** Mantled Howler Monkey (*Alouatta palliata*) — rests and forages in its dense canopy
- **Eaten by:** Mahogany shoot borer (*Hypsipyla grandella*) — larvae bore into shoots and fruits

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
- [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
- [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover.

## Collections

- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Enjoy looking at mahogany trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Mahogany?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Mahogany?

30-60 m

### How wide does Mahogany spread?

15-30 m

### Is Mahogany edible?

No

### How big is Mahogany?

100-250 cm

### How long does Mahogany live?

200-350 years

### Where is Mahogany usually found?

Tropical forests

### What kind of fruit does Mahogany produce?

Woody capsule

## Where to spot

- [Monroe Lake Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monroe-lake-archeological-district) — Florida, US · Historic District

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

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Source: [Mahogany: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mahogany)