This work deals with the germrnation of some species of Euphorbiaceae: Hura crepitans L., Jatropha molissima (Pohl.) Baillon and Omphalea diandra L. They are trees or shrubs of economic value that occur in Brasil, as native. The following observations were made on the seedling development: stages of germination, period necessary for germination tests under controlled conditions of laboratory, description of normal seedlings, and types of abnormalities. The main purpose of this paper is to give support to the interpretation of germination tests to recognize the structures of the seedlings; for this reason, the study is based upon the morphology of the seedlings. It is also given information about the fruit characteristics and seed morphology.