West Indian Mahogany Swietenia mahagoni 20 Seeds USA Company

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.