The word “mahogany” is a commercial term representing a highly prized hardwood known for its reddish-brown color, durability, and lustrous finish. However, the geographic answer to “where is mahogany from” is not singular; it spans multiple continents and botanical genera. The wood’s history is defined by a global timber trade that continually sought substitutes as original sources became depleted. This complex nomenclature means the material sold under the name mahogany today can originate from forests in the Americas, Africa, or Southeast Asia.
The Original True Mahogany
The historical and botanical definition of “True Mahogany” belongs exclusively to the species within the genus Swietenia of the Meliaceae family, native only to the Neotropics (Central and South America, and the Caribbean). The two most commercially important species are Swietenia mahagoni and Swietenia macrophylla.
Swietenia mahagoni, often called West Indian or Cuban mahogany, was the first species heavily exploited by Europeans. Its native range is restricted to the Caribbean islands, including Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola, extending north to southern Florida. The density and fine texture of this wood made it a favored material for high-end furniture and shipbuilding starting in the 16th century.
The other major species, Swietenia macrophylla, is known as Big-leaf or Honduran mahogany. This tree is native to the mainland, growing across a vast range from Mexico through Central America and south into the Amazon Basin in countries like Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. This larger species became the primary source of True Mahogany after the Caribbean stocks were heavily reduced.
Intense logging over centuries led to significant depletion of the native Swietenia forests across the Americas. The scarcity of these traditional sources forced the timber industry to seek new, geographically distinct substitutes. The search for wood with a comparable reddish hue and stability ultimately led the trade across the Atlantic to Africa.
The Rise of African Mahogany
Following the depletion of True Mahogany, the timber trade shifted its attention to a botanically distinct group of trees from Africa. This wood is sourced from the genus Khaya, also a member of the Meliaceae family, and is commercially known as African mahogany. Although not a true mahogany in the strict Swietenia sense, its similar grain, color, and workability made it a widely accepted market substitute.
The native geographic home of Khaya species spans the tropical regions of West and East Africa. Specific commercially harvested species, such as Khaya ivorensis and Khaya senegalensis, grow across a broad region from Senegal to Sudan, Uganda, and Madagascar. These African species became the new default for large-scale production, particularly for furniture and veneers, due to their relative abundance.
Despite sharing the trade name “mahogany,” Swietenia and Khaya are different woods with slight variations in properties like density and grain pattern. The West African forests now supply the majority of the world’s commercial stock sold simply as “mahogany” in many global markets.
Other Woods Marketed as Mahogany
The commercial appeal of the name “mahogany” led to its application to various other reddish-brown hardwoods from entirely different botanical genera and geographical regions. Several African species, also in the Meliaceae family but not Khaya, are commonly traded under this umbrella, including Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) and Sipo (Entandrophragma utile), both native to tropical Africa.
Another major substitute comes from Southeast Asia, misleadingly sold as “Philippine Mahogany.” This term applies to various species within the Shorea genus, commonly referred to as Lauan or Meranti. These trees are not related to Swietenia or Khaya and originate from countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This practice highlights how the name has become a generalized marketing term for any reddish wood with certain visual characteristics.
Why Geographical Origin Matters Today
Knowing the precise geographical and botanical origin of mahogany is paramount due to conservation and legality concerns in the international timber trade. Consequently, all species of True Mahogany (Swietenia) are now regulated under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
This CITES listing means that any international trade of Swietenia timber harvested from its native range in the Americas requires a specific permit. This permit verifies the wood was legally acquired and not detrimental to the species’ survival. The geographical source directly determines the regulatory burden; for example, Swietenia macrophylla grown in non-native plantations in Asia, such as Fiji or India, is often exempt from these CITES controls.
Furthermore, many African mahogany (Khaya) species are also listed on CITES Appendix II due to overexploitation in their native ranges. For consumers, requesting the wood’s genus and country of origin is the only way to ensure the material is sourced legally and sustainably. The origin is the primary identifier for verifying compliance with international trade regulations.