Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Swietenia macrophylla

Swietenia macrophylla

9.9
A large mahogany tree from Central and South America that produces valuable wood
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Swietenia macrophylla
  • The wood of Swietenia macrophylla is prized for making fine furniture and musical instruments.

Examples

  • The Swietenia macrophylla tree grows up to 50 meters tall.

  • Large plantations of Swietenia macrophylla are found in parts of Brazil and Honduras.

  • Conservation efforts aim to protect Swietenia macrophylla from illegal logging.

  • Many furniture makers prefer Swietenia macrophylla for its durability.

  • The wood of Swietenia macrophylla is prized for making fine furniture and musical instruments.

  • Large plantations of Swietenia macrophylla are found in parts of Brazil and Honduras.

  • Many furniture makers prefer Swietenia macrophylla for its durability.

Synonyms

Honduras mahogany
vsSwietenia macrophylla
  • Specialized
8.1

A Central American tree with hard reddish-brown wood used for fine furniture

is native to both Central and South America rather than Central America only
mahogany tree
vsSwietenia macrophylla
6.0

A tropical tree with hard reddish brown wood used to make fine furniture

is a specific species rather than the broader group of tropical trees

Surface Forms

Swietenia macrophylla singular
Swietenia macrophyllas plural

Morphology

Swietenia + macrophylla

The binomial is compositionally built: genus 'Swietenia' (a mahogany) plus the specific epithet 'macrophylla' (from Greek roots macro- = large, -phylla = leaves), so the name literally denotes a large‑leaved Swietenia species and thus its meaning is derivable if the learner recognises those constituents. However, as a technical Latin/Greek botanical name and with 'macrophylla' not a common English word, it is not fully transparent to an average B1 learner without familiarity with classical affixes, so overall it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Swietenia macrophylla is two parts: Swietenia is named for a person called Swieten, and macrophylla comes from Greek words meaning 'large leaf'. So the picture is a mahogany tree linked to Swieten with big leaves, which helps you remember this species is the mahogany valued for fine wood.