Small-leaved mahogany

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• west-indies-mahogany
• Mahogany Tree
• West Indian mahogany
• American Mahogany
• Cuban Mahogany
• Small-leaved Mahogany
• Spanish mahogany
• West Indies Mahogany

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cedrela mahagoni
• Swietenia mahagoni var. praecociflora
• Cedrus mahagoni
• Swietenia fabrilis
• Swietenia acutifolia

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. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Meliaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Swietenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in Mauritius and Réunion. Its presence extends significantly into China, specifically within the South-Central areas. Furthermore, it is widely distributed across the southeastern parts of China. Finally, the species is also native to the tropical island of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Swietenia mahagoni is characterized by its adaptation to specific forest types and varying altitudinal gradients. This species is primarily found inhabiting Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, where it thrives within these distinct ecological niches. Its distribution spans a significant vertical range, occurring from sea level at an elevation of 0 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Swietenia mahagoni is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years and reach significant structural maturity. Throughout its long lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity and consistent metabolic processes across different seasons. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen deciduousness enables the species to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche, contributing to its longevity and sustained growth patterns.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Swietenia mahagoni is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting organism that functions as an independent species, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. The plant reaches significant dimensions, with a mean height of approximately 19.31 meters and a maximum potential height of up to 20 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

19.3133333333333 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Swietenia mahagoni is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. The plant's structural development is reflected in its wood properties, exhibiting a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 647 mg/cm³, a metric that indicates its substantial biomass density and structural integrity. Furthermore, Swietenia mahagoni does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen availability rather than symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to fulfill its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

647 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Swietenia mahagoni is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects, with bees serving as a significant pollinator. The plant exhibits the ability for self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success under varying environmental conditions. Once fertilization occurs, the resulting seeds exhibit a wide range of masses, with a minimum value of 0.0022 g, a maximum of 0.5 g, and a mean seed mass of approximately 0.1492 g. Following maturation, the seeds are distributed through an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing wind as the primary mechanism for movement away from the parent plant.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.5 g

Seed mass mean:

0.1492 g

Seed mass min:

0.0022 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Swietenia mahagoni has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf.

Seed

1. Pharmacognosy research
2. Journal of integrative medicine

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Swietenia mahagoni has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-acetyl-4,4-bis[4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl] piperidine, 2-Hydroxy-3-O-tigloylswietenolide, ANTHRAQUINONE, Flavonoids, Glycosides.

1-acetyl-4,4-bis[4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl] piperidine

1. AMB Express

2-Hydroxy-3-O-tigloylswietenolide

1. Phytochemistry

ANTHRAQUINONE

1. Cryo letters

Flavonoids

1. AMB Express

Glycosides

1. AMB Express

IMIDAZOLE-4,5-D2

1. AMB Express

Phenols

1. AMB Express

SME

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Saponins

1. AMB Express

Tannins

1. AMB Express

Activities

Swietenia mahagoni has 7 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor.

Antibacterial

1. AMB Express

Antifungal

1. AMB Express

Antimicrobial

1. AMB Express

Antioxidant

1. AMB Express

Antitumor

1. AMB Express

Astringent

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Cytotoxic

1. AMB Express

Medicinal Uses

Swietenia mahagoni has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Enterobacter aerogenes.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations