Mahogany

Mahogany, common name for a group of trees known for their high-quality woods. True mahoganies belong to the genera Swietenia and Khaya. A number of trees that belong to other genera are marketed as mahogany.

Mahogany wood is heavy and strong, yet easily worked. It is also relatively resistant to swelling and warping. The wood varies in color from tan to dark-reddish brown, and can be cut to produce a range of fine-textured grains. It is used in cabinetry and veneers and can be polished to a rich sheen. Other genera in the family also yield useful wood, oils, insecticides, and edible fruits. The chinaberry tree, a mahogany native to the Himalayas, is widely planted in the southern United States as an ornamental.

Mahogany trees usually have long thick trunks covered with a reddish scaly bark. The branching leaves have three to five petals, and small white flowers which develop in clusters. The trees grow to heights of 23 m (75 ft) or more.

The West Indian mahogany has been listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Native to Cuba, Colombia, the Bahamas, and Florida, these trees are seriously threatened by logging and habitat loss.

Scientific classification: Mahoganies belong to the family Meliaceae. True mahoganies are classified in the American genus Swietenia and the African genus Khaya. The chinaberry tree is classified as Melia azedarach, and the West Indian mahogany as Swietenia mahagoni.