Mahogany
From Freepedia
- For other uses, see Mahogany (disambiguation).
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This entry refers to the timber only.
The name mahogany was first used for wood of Swietenia mahagoni, later also for the wood of the closely related Swietenia macrophylla. Mahogany hardwood is famed for its use in making furniture and other rather durable objects (e.g. a paddle to last at a fraternity) as easy to work, stable in use, and displays a beautiful reddish sheen when polished. Today, all species of Swietenia are listed by CITES.
The same plant is also used for decorative purposes, especially as some varieties produces bright (mainly yellow) blooms out of season, even in winter.
The name "mahogany" is also widely used for that of the African genus Khaya (closely related to Swietenia) which should properly be called African mahogany. Used in the plural, "mahoganies" may refer to the wider group of all the timbers yielded by the three related genera Swietenia, Khaya and Entandrophragma. The timbers of Entandrophragma are traded under their individual names, sometimes with "mahogany" attached: for example "sipo" may sometimes be called "sipo mahogany"
In addition the timber trade deals with many so-called "mahoganies" with various adjectives attached, notably "Philippine mahogany". These woods will have nothing to do with mahogany proper. One may get in great trouble by using the name "mahogany"!
See also
Categories: Wood | Antiques | Furniture
