African mahogany

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African Mahogany
• Benin Mahogany
• Dry Zone Mahogany
• dryzone-mahogany

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Khaya senegalensis var. quadrivalvis
• Swietenia senegalensis
• Khaya senegalensis var. spectabilis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Khaya senegalensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Khaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Its natural range also extends into the nation of Burkina. Furthermore, the species is documented to exist in Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the geographical presence of this medicinal plant includes the country of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Khaya senegalensis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody branches, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. This phanerophyte classification is consistent across its developmental stages, ensuring that its vital parts remain protected and elevated as it matures into a substantial tree within its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Khaya senegalensis is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that functions as a self-supporting growth form. It is a terrestrial species, existing independently of any parasitic or epiphytic relationships. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with an average height of approximately 25 m and the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 30.48 m. As a self-supporting woody tree, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as lianas or vines, nor does it occupy aquatic or semi-aquatic niches.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30.48037064 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Khaya senegalensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. As a member of the Meliaceae family, it does not possess the specialized anatomical adaptations seen in C4 or CAM plants, instead relying on the standard enzymatic activity of RuBisCO for carbon assimilation. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; consequently, its growth and metabolic processes are heavily dependent on the availability of inorganic nitrogen sources, such as nitrates and ammonium, within the soil matrix.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Khaya senegalensis is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit significant variability in size and weight. The seed mass within this species shows a wide range, with a minimum recorded weight of 0.04 g and a maximum weight reaching up to 0.62 g. On average, the seed mass is approximately 0.23654875 g, reflecting a diverse distribution of reproductive units essential for the species' dispersal and establishment in its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.62 g

Seed mass mean:

0.23654875 g

Seed mass min:

0.04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Khaya senegalensis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf, root.

Stem

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of natural products
3. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
4. Planta medica
5. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Leaf

1. Open research Africa
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Planta medica
4. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine
5. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Root

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
2. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Chemicals

Khaya senegalensis has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Khayanone, Tannins, 2-Hydroxyseneganolide, Anthocyanins.

Flavonoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. TheScientificWorldJournal
3. Journal of helminthology

Khayanone

1. Journal of natural products
2. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Tannins

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. Journal of helminthology

2-Hydroxyseneganolide

1. Journal of natural products

Anthocyanins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chromones

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Flavanol

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Flavonoid

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Glycosides

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Humilin B

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Activities

Khaya senegalensis has 6 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antimicrobial, Antiplasmodial, Antiviral.

Analgesic

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Anthelmintic

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antimicrobial

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Antiplasmodial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Journal of natural products

Diuretic

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Medicinal Uses

Khaya senegalensis has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania donovani, cancer, malaria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations