Scientific name: Swietenia macrophylla

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 58.84″ N, 64° 49′ 44.52″ W

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Honduras Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)

1. Leaf Behavior
This is a semi-deciduous tree, typically shedding leaves briefly during the dry season.

• Leaves are compound, with large, shiny leaflets arranged pinnately.
• Leaf drop occurs late in the dry season (February–March), sometimes followed by a near-simultaneous flush of new reddish-green leaves.

Observation Tips:

• Note the timing and completeness of leaf drop—canopy may briefly appear sparse.
• Document the color and timing of new leaf flush, often beginning just before the first rains.

2. Flowering
Flowers are small, greenish-white, and fragrant, borne in loose panicles at branch tips.

• Flowering occurs in the early wet season, typically April to June in the Virgin Islands.
• Flowers are insect-pollinated, especially by bees and small flies.

Observation Tips:

• Watch for emergence of flower panicles, often concurrent with new leaf growth.
• Record pollinator activity, particularly during morning hours.

3. Fruiting
The fruit is a woody, five-valved capsule, often called a mahogany pod, which splits open at maturity to release winged seeds.

• Fruiting begins after flowering, with pods developing through the late wet season (July–October).
• Mature pods are oval to pear-shaped, turning brown and splitting open while still on the tree.

Observation Tips:

• Track fruit development, watching for pods cracking open at the top.
• Note seed dispersal, which relies on wind to carry seeds away from the parent tree.

4. Growth Habit
Honduras Mahogany is a large, straight-trunked tree, reaching 60–100 feet or more, with a broad, dome-shaped crown.

• Bark is grayish and scaly, and mature trees often have buttressed roots.
• Best suited to moist, well-drained soils, but adaptable to seasonal dryness.

5. Seasonal Pattern (St. Croix)

• Jan–Mar: Leaf shedding (partial to full)
• Mar–May: New leaf flush and flowering
• Jun–Oct: Fruit development
• Oct–Dec: Seed dispersal and canopy maturation