BIG-LEAF MAHOGANY

Mahogany’s English name derives from the Brazilian indigenous word mogno. Big-leaf or genuine mahogany is widely distributed from southern Mexico through Central America and the majority of the Amazon. The closely related Pacific mahogany (Swietenia humilis) predominates on the western coast of Central America while Cuban mahogany (Swietenia mahogani) is found on the larger Caribbean islands (although now is highly endangered). The tree attains heights up to 50 meters and diameters of 2 meters with heavy buttresses with clear boles up to 20 meters. The species is normally dispersed in forests typically with no more than 4 to 8 trees per hectare. This is partly an adaptation to the threat of the shoot-borer moth which specifically attacks mahogany, cedar and other members of the Meliaceae family by entering young trees’ apex, causing bifurcation and, less frequently, mortality. Some researchers believe mahogany is widely distributed in Mexico and Bolivia because hurricanes and floods have allowed the species to prosper by opening large swaths of forest for regeneration. However, following centuries of over-exploitation, it is threatened and listed on CITES Appendix II.