The term mahogany is also used to refer to a number of similar timbers from other unrelated trees, including several species from the African genus Khaya.
Mahogany is often used to make furniture because it has a beautiful sheen when polished. The timber is water-resistant and in the past it was used in ship-building for this reason. There is a very famous ship called the 'Mahogany ship' that is believed to be buried in the dunes somewhere near Warnambool, Victoria.