Pacific Coast mahogany

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Honduras Mahogany
• Mexican Mahogany
• Pacific Coast Mahogany
• Pacific mahogany

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Swietenia bijuga
• Swietenia multijuga
• Swietenia cirrhata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Swietenia humilis, 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 placed within the genus Swietenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Swietenia humilis, exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions within Mexico. It can be found growing throughout Mexico Central, spanning various central territories. The species also inhabits the coastal and inland areas of Mexico Northeast. Its presence extends into the diverse landscapes of Mexico Gulf. Finally, the plant is documented within the regions of Mexico Northwest and Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Swietenia mahagoni (often referred to in botanical contexts involving the Swietenia genus, including S. humilis) is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its native tropical habitats. As a perennial, the plant undergoes a continuous developmental process that extends far beyond the single-season cycles of annuals or the two-year cycles of biennials. Its life cycle begins with the germination of seeds, which typically require specific moisture and temperature conditions to sprout. Following germination, the plant enters a prolonged vegetative phase, focusing on the development of a robust woody trunk, an extensive root system, and a dense canopy of foliage. This stage is critical for establishing the structural integrity needed to survive environmental fluctuations. As the individual matures, it transitions into a reproductive phase, producing flowers that facilitate pollination, eventually leading to the development of woody capsules containing seeds. Because it is perennial, the plant can undergo repeated cycles of flowering and seeding over many years, provided it maintains access to sufficient nutrients and water, contributing to the long-term stability of its ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Swietenia mahagoni (often associated with the Swietenia genus) is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite. The species is strictly terrestrial, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a substantial plant with an average height of approximately 15 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 20 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Swietenia mahagoni (often referred to in botanical contexts associated with the Swietenia genus, including S. humilis) is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root system, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and metabolic processes.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Swietenia humilis is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily involving insects and specifically bees, which facilitates the fertilization process. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces seeds characterized by a highly consistent length of 70.71 mm. The seed mass exhibits moderate variability, with a mean weight of approximately 0.516 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.345 g to a maximum of 0.807 g. Following maturation, the dispersal of these seeds is classified as anemochorous, meaning they are dispersed by the wind, a mechanism that helps spread the species across its natural habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

70.71 mm

Seed mass max:

0.807 g

Seed mass mean:

0.516222222 g

Seed mass min:

0.345 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Swietenia humilis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Chemicals

Swietenia humilis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Mexicanolide.

Mexicanolide

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Activities

Swietenia humilis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic.

Antihyperglycemic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Conditions

Swietenia humilis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology