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Reference · Crops

Meliaceae

The Meliaceae family, commonly known as the mahogany family, consists of approximately 50 genera and hundreds of species of trees and shrubs. This family is economically paramount, providing the world with high-quality timber, essential oils, and potent natural biopesticides extracted from species like the neem tree.

Main sections

Dysoxylum25 Aglaia14 Khaya5 Chisocheton4 Entandrophragma4 Leplaea4 Carapa2 Cedrela2 Didymocheton2 Guarea2 Heynea2 Owenia2 Swietenia2 Toona2 Toona2 Aphanamixis1 Cabralea1 Chinaberry tree1 Chukrasia1 Cipadessa1
72 sections

What the section contains

Aglaia Aglaia 14 items Aphanamixis Aphanamixis 1 item Berg mahogany Entandrophragma caudatum Cabralea Cabralea 1 item Carapa Carapa 2 items Carapa nicaraguensis Carapa nicaraguensis Carapa procera Carapa procera Cedrela Cedrela 2 items Cedrela angustifolia Cedrela angustifolia Cedrela fissilis Cedrela fissilis Chinaberry tree Melia 1 item Chisocheton Chisocheton 4 items Chukrasia Chukrasia A. Juss 1 item Chukrasia Chukrasia Cipadessa Cipadessa 1 item Didymocheton Didymocheton 2 items Dysoxylum Dysoxylum 25 items Ekebergia Ekebergia 1 item Entandrophragma Entandrophragma 4 items Entandrophragma candollei Entandrophragma candollei Entandrophragma congoense Entandrophragma congoense Guarea Guarea 2 items Guarea glabra Guarea glabra Guarea grandifolia Guarea grandifolia Guarea guidonia Guarea guidonia Guarea martiana Guarea martiana Guarea pubiflora Guarea pubiflora Heynea Heynea 2 items Khaya Khaya 5 items Khaya grandis Khaya grandis Khaya nyasica Khaya nyasica Langsat Lansium 1 item Leplaea Leplaea 4 items Lovoa Lovoa 1 item Lovoa swynnertonii Lovoa swynnertonii Melia dubia Melia dubia Neem Azadirachta A. Juss. 1 item Neem Azadirachta 1 item Nymania Nymania 1 item Owenia Owenia 2 items Pseudocedrela Pseudocedrela 1 item Sandoricum beccarianum Sandoricum beccarianum Sandoricum borneense Sandoricum borneense Santol Sandoricum 1 item Soymida Soymida 1 item Swietenia Swietenia 2 items Swietenia humilis Swietenia humilis Toona Toona (Endl.) M. Roem. 2 items Toona Toona 2 items Trichilia Trichilia 1 item Trichilia casarettoi Trichilia casarettoi Trichilia claussenii Trichilia claussenii Trichilia djalonensis Trichilia djalonensis Trichilia emetica Trichilia emetica Trichilia gilgiana Trichilia gilgiana Trichilia glabra Trichilia glabra Trichilia havanensis Trichilia havanensis Trichilia hirta Trichilia hirta Trichilia martineaui Trichilia martineaui Trichilia megalantha Trichilia megalantha

Meliaceae

Originating primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, Meliaceae members are now cultivated globally in suitable warm climates. Large-scale production is predominantly found in Southeast Asia, West Africa, and Latin America. These trees thrive in environments where seasonal variations are minimal, ensuring continuous vegetative growth.

Botanically, these plants are defined by their complex pinnate leaves and often fragrant, small flowers. The fruits are generally dry capsules or fleshy drupes. They possess high wood density and often exhibit natural resistance to decay, which makes them highly prized in the furniture and construction industries.

Cultivation requires deep, well-drained loamy soils and high annual precipitation. Agronomic management involves intensive nursery care, followed by transplanting to well-spaced plantations. Proper light management is crucial during the early stages, as many species require protection from direct sun before they become established.

  • Selection of fast-growing genetic lines for timber.
  • Integrated pest management (IPM) to control shoot borers.
  • Strategic pruning to optimize wood quality.

Pest management is the most significant challenge for Meliaceae, especially the Hypsipyla shoot borer which destroys the terminal bud. Disease control focuses on managing fungal pathogens like root rot, which can occur in waterlogged soils. Success in commercial production depends on robust site selection and proactive monitoring of plantation health.