Monday, February 7, 2011

From tiny "acorns" grow mighty Mahogany



Throughout the Diamond Botanical Garden and Soufriere Estate are towering Honduran Mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla) planted by the present owners father decades ago. The estate house where I stay has many fine pieces of furniture and cabinetry made by her father. The pods that fall from 100 plus feet crash to the ground and shatter open spreading maple key like seed. You do not want to be under these trees when pods fall. Sections of the garden have to be closed off during leaf drop and "pod season". This picture is of a seedling I found while weeding.