Germination was studies in ten species of arborescent Leguminosae native to Amazonia: Campiandra comosa var. laurifolia, Cassia negrensis, Crudia pubescens, Machaerium inundatum, Macrolobium acaciifolium, Peltogyne prancei, Pterocarpus amazonicus, Swartzia poltphylla, Tachigalia paniculata and Vatairea guianensis. Under standardized conditions, seven species demonstrated rapid germination (less than 60 days), while only one, Peltogyne prancei, had slow germination (more than 60 days). Five species showed a germination sucess greater than 70%, while the other five surpassed 50%. The highest germination sucess was found in Vatairea guianensis: 91%. The Emergente Rate index (IVE) was higher for the species with more homogeneous germination, the highest IVE was found in Tachigalia paniculata: 2,39; seeds of Swartzia polyphylla were observed to be polyembryonic. Initial germination for six species was epigeal; the other four were hypogeal. Half of the species were shown capable of symbiotic association with nitrogen fixing bacteria of the genus Rhizobium.