SUMMARY
The "angelim pedra" (Dinizia excelsa Ducke - Leguminosae) is a forest species of the Amazonian Region of economic importance, but is little studied. Its seeds show dormancy and germination heterogeneity, that creates difficulties in seedling formation. The authors of the present work studied methods of breaking this seed dormancy, and the influence of seed coat in germination. It is recommended that to break dormancy, scarification with sulfuric acid, mechanical scarification, or thermic action be utilized.