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      1. Priority Species
Bigleaf Mahogany is a priority species. WWF treats priority species as one of the most ecologically, economically and/or culturally important species on our planet. And so we are working to ensure such species can live and thrive in their natural habitats.

Bigleaf Mahogany

  • common name

    Big Leaf Mahogany, Brazilian Mahogany, Honduras Mahogany, Large-leaved Mahogany; Mahogani Grands Feuilles (Fr) Caoba, Mara, Mogno (Sp)

  • scientific name

    Swietenia macrophylla

  • habitat

    Tropical moist broadleaf forests, Tropical dry broadleaf forests

  • status

    IUCN: Vulnerable A1cd+2cd CITES: Appendix II

    read more

  • height

    40 - 60 m

Big leaf mahogany (<i>Swietenia macrophylla</i>), Peru.

A truly majestic evergreen tree

Bigleaf Mahogany is an evergreen tree that grows tall, up to 60 m, forming the ceiling of the forest canopy. It is named after the big leaves that it bears - the leaves can be as long as 50 cm with even pairs of leaflets. 

Its bark is dark-brown and flaky with a sweet odour. Its flowers are small and white in colour but the fruits are large capsules that are light grey to brown in colour.

Size
Height: 40 - 60 m
Trunk diameter: 80 cm
Leaves: 35 - 50 cm


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Habitat

Biogeographic realm
Neotropic

Range States
Belize; Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominica; Ecuador; El Salvador; French Guiana; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Peru; Venezuela

Geographic Location
South America

Ecological Region
Tropical moist broadleaf forests, Tropical dry broadleaf forests

How you can help

Check before you buy - always look for FSC certification when purchasing wood products.

Threats

Bigleaf mahogany is highly valued for its rich reddish colour and good technical characteristics of its hardwood for making furniture and musical instruments. This has caused the species to come under increasing pressure through:
  • Over-harvesting by commercial trading companies
  • Ilegal logging
  • Slow and uncertain regeneration

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