Swietenia mahagoni

Swietenia mahagoni, commonly known as the West Indian Mahogany, is a species of Swietenia that is native to southern Florida in the United States as well as the islands of The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. Its flower is the national flower of the Dominican Republic.

It is a medium-sized semi-evergreen tree growing to 30–35 metres (98–115 ft) tall. The leaves are pinnate, 12–25 centimetres (4.7–9.8 in) long, with four to eight leaflets, each leaflet 5–6 centimetres (2.0–2.4 in) long and 2–3 centimetres (0.79–1.2 in) broad; there is no terminal leaflet.

The flowers are small, produced in panicles. The fruit is a woody capsule 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) long and 3–6 centimetres (1.2–2.4 in) broad, containing numerous winged seeds.

The bark in younger specimens is smooth and grayish, becoming darker and furrowed with age. In the U.S. mahoganies are semi-deciduous, losing all or most of their leaves over winter or shedding at the flush of new growth in spring.

New leaves emerge blood red to pinkish, quickly becoming a bright, light green and darkening as they mature.

The United States Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry maintains a study center on St. Croix.

In the Florida Keys and south Florida, the species grows at the northern extent of its range, with individuals reaching 10–15 metres (33–49 ft) tall. Mahogany is listed as "Threatened" in the Preservation of Native Flora of Florida Act.



Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swietenia_mahagoni


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