Scientific Classification for the African Mahogany Tree

Angiosperms

• Mahogany trees are angiosperms, which are a class of plants in which the seeds develop inside a fleshy fruit, or ovule, that itself develops from a flower. Angiosperms are differentiated from gymnosperms, a class of plants in which the seeds are not surrounded by an ovule. The seeds of gymnosperms develop inside structures formed by special leaves called bracts; these structures are the cones that are characteristic of conifers. Angiosperms are typically broad-leafed plants, while gymnosperms usually have needle-like leaves. Many species of angiosperms are deciduous, meaning that they lose their leaves every autumn, but the African mahogany is an evergreen.

Sapindales

• African mahogany belongs to Sapindales, an order that contains 15 plant families, including the maple, citrus, sumac and frankincense families.

Mahogany Family

• There are about 565 species in Meliaceae, the mahogany family, distributed in 51 genera. These species are usually large or small trees, although there are some shrub species. They typically have pinnate leaves, and their fruit is usually a fleshy capsule that contains seeds that may be winged or unwinged. The trees' flowers are distinctive in that their stamens are usually partially or entirely fused together into a staminal tube.

African Mahogany

• The hardwood mahogany trees commonly referred to as African mahogany belong to the genus Khaya. The species that was first designated as African mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) was exported from Gambia to Europe beginning in the 19th century. Other species commonly called African mahogany include K. anthotheca, K. grandifoliola and K. ivorensis. These trees are best known for their durable, attractive hardwood. In the United States, African mahogany is able to survive in the U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 to 11 in Florida.

Pod Mahogany

• The African pod mahogany (Afzelia quanzensis) is unrelated to the other mahogany species, but it is also known for its wood and is sometimes referred to as African mahogany. Pod mahogany is a legume in the family Fabaceae, and it is part of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is a medium-size deciduous trees whose leaves turn yellow and drop in the autumn. Along with its wood, the tree's seeds are prized and are used to make decorative items. Pod mahogany is hardy to USDA zone 10.