Mahogany

About this book

Mahogany is a detailed identification guide to the woods of several trade timbers known as `mahogany', and aims to differentiate between these and the true mahogany Swietenia. All three species of Swietenia are CITES listed, and difficult to tell apart from other `mahogany' timbers, macroscopically and microscopically.

In this book, 18 taxa from the Meliaceae family (the mahogany family), commonly known as mahoganies, are compared and contrasted, with full wood anatomical descriptions and microscopic images, macroscopic wood images, global distribution maps, information on uses and common names. In addition, several non-Meliaceae mahoganies are described. A detailed list of literature used is provided, along with an appendix containing trade data for Swietenia.

This book is an essential resource for everyone involved with the regulation of endangered timbers, including wood anatomists, customs officers, timber traders, students, and those with an interest in some of the world's finest tropical timbers.

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Biography

Lydia White studied biology at The University of Manchester, with a year working in the Micromorphology section in the Jodrell laboratory, Kew, on projects into the identification of CITES woods, namely Swietenia. After graduation she returned to Kew to continue the research into identifying Swietenia from other `mahogany' timbers, leading to the development of this book.

Peter Gasson studied agricultural botany at Reading University. He has a PhD in timber technology/botany from Imperial College and has worked as a plant anatomist in the Jodrell Laboratory for over 25 years, specialising in systematic plant anatomy, wood identification and other tree related subjects.