Abstract: Based on the lectotype of Swietenia mahagoni and the holotype of S.macrophylla, the status of those species as cited in Chinese taxonomic literature, such as Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica, Flora of Guangzhou, Iconographia Cormophytorum Sinicorum, Flora Yunnanica, Flora of Guangdong, Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae and Higher Plants of China, the name S.mahagoni has been misapplied in above-mentioned Chinese taxonomic literature and should be Swietenia macrophylla King. Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. has leaflets less than 10 cm long and oval fruits less than 15 cm long; S.macrophylla King has always a quantity of leaflets more than 10 cm long and club-shaped fruits 12-22 cm long.

Key words: Meliaceae, Swietenia macrophylla King, Swietenia mahagoni(L.) Jacq., taxonomic revision