Mahogany

Mahogany is a species (Swietenia mahagoni) of hardwood tree in the flowering plant family, Meliaceae.

Mahogany is often used to make furniture because it has a beautiful sheen when polished. The timber is water-resistant and in the past it was used in ship-building for this reason. There is a "famous" ship called the 'Mahogany ship' rumored to be buried in the dunes near Warnambool, Victoria.

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The term mahogany is also used to refer to a number of similar timbers from other unrelated trees, including several species from the African genus, Khaya (also in the Family Meliaceae).

Mountain mahogany is the common name for species of Cercocarpus (Family Rosaceae).