Cryopreservation trials with ?Aroeira? (Anacardiaceae), were carried out at the Genetic Resources Conservation Area of the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, Brazil, during 1990. Seeds were dehydrated, in a drying chamber for periods of 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. After this, each lot was assessed for germination rate and moisture content and seeds immersed in Iiquid nitrogen (-196°C) for 15 days. After that, they were taken out of the liquid nitrogen and checked for germination and moisture content. The results showed germination rates very similar to those recorded at the beginning of the experiment. Furthermore, seed moisture of 6.0% proved to be the rnost suitable for cryopreservation. In can be concluded that Aroeira seeds are orthodox and successfully withstand cryopreservation.