AMERICAN MAHOGANY (Swietenia Macrophylla / Swietenia Candollei)
Commonly known as Broad-Leaf Mahogany and American Mahogany, this tree is from the plant family Meliaceae, native to South America and Mexico.
Hardy, fast growing and relatively pest-free, the tree can grow up to 30 meters tall. It was first introduced into Singapore around 1876, about the same time as the Rubber tree. It is commonly planted around Dunearn Road, Bukit Timah Road and Napier Road. It can be easily recognized by its dense dark green round crown, dark grey and scaly bark, and brown papaya-like fruits. The leaves are simple pinnately compound, with the leaflets slightly curved and dark green. The trees shed their leaves after a period of dry weather, and the pinkish young leaves appearing together with the flowers, which are small, pale greenish yellow and in clusters, faintly scented. Flowers carpet the ground when they shed. The fruits are large, heavy, brown, oblong and woody looking capsules, sticking out from the ends of the branches. As they seem to project upwards, they are dubbed “sky-fruit”. The seeds of the sky fruit are collected by the old folks, dried and consumed as they are believe to cure diabetes and high blood pressure. Their concentrate can now be found in many health shops and sold as a natural remedy to help improve blood circulation and the skin.
This tree is ideal for planting along major roads and in parks as it is a fast growing, hardy and relatively pest free. The timber is deemed to be the worlds finest and is often used as decorative wood in luxury yachts. The bark contains tannin and is used in Peninsular Malaysia as a tonic and astringent, and for preventing fever.
Be warned … if you are planning to try seed of the skyfruit as a natural cure, do not bite and chew on it, as it is so bitter that the taste of it can easily stay in your mouth for up to 6 hours. The best way is to break it to small piece and swallow it whole.
Hardy, fast growing and relatively pest-free, the tree can grow up to 30 meters tall. It was first introduced into Singapore around 1876, about the same time as the Rubber tree. It is commonly planted around Dunearn Road, Bukit Timah Road and Napier Road. It can be easily recognized by its dense dark green round crown, dark grey and scaly bark, and brown papaya-like fruits. The leaves are simple pinnately compound, with the leaflets slightly curved and dark green. The trees shed their leaves after a period of dry weather, and the pinkish young leaves appearing together with the flowers, which are small, pale greenish yellow and in clusters, faintly scented. Flowers carpet the ground when they shed. The fruits are large, heavy, brown, oblong and woody looking capsules, sticking out from the ends of the branches. As they seem to project upwards, they are dubbed “sky-fruit”. The seeds of the sky fruit are collected by the old folks, dried and consumed as they are believe to cure diabetes and high blood pressure. Their concentrate can now be found in many health shops and sold as a natural remedy to help improve blood circulation and the skin.
This tree is ideal for planting along major roads and in parks as it is a fast growing, hardy and relatively pest free. The timber is deemed to be the worlds finest and is often used as decorative wood in luxury yachts. The bark contains tannin and is used in Peninsular Malaysia as a tonic and astringent, and for preventing fever.
Be warned … if you are planning to try seed of the skyfruit as a natural cure, do not bite and chew on it, as it is so bitter that the taste of it can easily stay in your mouth for up to 6 hours. The best way is to break it to small piece and swallow it whole.