Big-leaf mahogany

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Big Leaf Mahogany
• Big-leaf Mahogany
• Brazilian Mahogany
• Large-leaved Mahogany
• Honduran mahogany
• mahogany

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Swietenia tessmannii
• Swietenia candollei
• Swietenia macrophylla var. marabaensis
• Swietenia krukovii
• Swietenia belizensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Swietenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found inhabiting the islands of Comoros and the Seychelles. Its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is present within the Indo-China region, specifically located around the Andaman Islands. Finally, its presence reaches into Eastern Asia, with populations established in Taiwan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Swietenia macrophylla is characterized by a broad adaptability to diverse forest ecosystems and a wide altitudinal distribution. This species thrives across several distinct habitats, including Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). Its vertical distribution spans from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevational range of approximately 700 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Swietenia macrophylla is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage across seasons rather than shedding it annually. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and continuous leaf presence supports its sustained growth and structural development within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Swietenia macrophylla is characterized by a large, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. It is a self-supporting, terrestrial organism that functions as an independent species, not acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant vertical stature, reaching a mean height of approximately 26.5 m, with the potential to attain a maximum height of up to 40 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

26.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Swietenia macrophylla is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in typical forest environments. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; instead, it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Swietenia macrophylla is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, which contributes to its reproductive success. The seeds produced exhibit specific morphological characteristics, with a mean seed length of 10.1 mm (ranging consistently at this value) and a seed volume that is measured at a constant 550 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds vary from a minimum of 0.357 g to a maximum of 1.754 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.535 g. Once matured, the dispersal of the seeds follows an anemochorous syndrome, meaning they are dispersed via the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

10.1 mm

Seed mass max:

1.754 g

Seed mass mean:

0.5351570835 g

Seed mass min:

0.357 g

Seed volume max:

550 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Swietenia macrophylla has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, fruit.

Seed

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Frontiers in fungal biology
3. Journal of computer-aided molecular design

Fruit

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Chemicals

Swietenia macrophylla has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include SWIETENINE, swietenolide, 3-O-BENZOYL-3-DETIGLOYLISOSWIETENINE, 6-O-BENZOYLSWIETENINE, 6-O-BENZOYLSWIETENOLIDE.

SWIETENINE

1. Environmental toxicology
2. Natural product research
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

swietenolide

1. Journal of computer-aided molecular design
2. Natural product research

3-O-BENZOYL-3-DETIGLOYLISOSWIETENINE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

6-O-BENZOYLSWIETENINE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

6-O-BENZOYLSWIETENOLIDE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

FEBRIFUGIN

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Activities

Swietenia macrophylla has 12 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Antibacterial.

Antidiabetic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimalarial

1. The Journal of veterinary medical science
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antitumor

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifeedant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimutagenic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Swietenia macrophylla has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, antidiabetic, antimalarial, antioxidant, antiviral.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations