Swietenia mahagoni, commonly called mahogany or West Indies mahogany,
is an evergreen tree with a dense, dome-shaped, rounded but sometimes spreading
crown. Some experts consider this tree to be semi-evergreen because it does
drop leaves in early spring as new leaves are emerging. It is native to the
West Indies and southern Florida (hummocks of Dade and Monroe Counties down the
Florida Keys). This tree has a beautiful ornamental shape, but is perhaps best
known for its heavy, dark reddish-brown wood which is a premier wood for
cabinetry, quality furniture, pianos and other musical instruments, shipbuilding,
trim and veneer. Wood from this species was first harvested and taken to Europe
for use in cabinetry in the early 1500s. This tree typically grows to 40-50′
tall, but mature trees in its native habitat will grow to 80′ (less frequently
to over 100′) tall. Mature trees are distinctively buttressed at the trunk
base. Scaly gray bark often splits to expose reddish inner bark. Branches are
clad with pinnate-compound deep green leaves (to 4-8″ long). Each leaf has
4-10 pairs of oval, glossy, leathery green leaflets (to 2 1/2″ long).
Axillary clusters (each 3-6″ long) of inconspicuous greenish yellow
flowers (each to 1/3″ across) bloom in spring. Each small flower has 5
sepals, 5 petals and 10 stamens. Flowers are followed by large oval woody
fruits (2-4″ long) that ripen in fall or winter. In late winter to early
spring, each capsule splits at the base into 5 parts releasing its seed to the
wind.
Growing Instructions
1. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half
potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot.
Water the mixture so that it is moist but not wet.
2. Put the seeds on the soil.
3. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
4. Water the seeds.
5. Place the pots in an area with warm temperatures in full sun or part
shade. The seeds sprout in 10-20 days.
6. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.
Phoenix (verified owner) –
So far so good!
Ryan (verified owner) –
Very healthy seeds! Well worth it.
Max (verified owner) –
They arrived very fresh and not bruised. They were delicious.
Dominic (verified owner) –
I was happy about the quick delivery and that the seeds actually sprouted within 7 days
Edward (verified owner) –
They arrived very fresh and not bruised. They were delicious.