Adenanthera pavonina L. is a woody leguminosous, native from tropical Asia. It?s
commonly used in recomposition programs of degradated areas, as an ornamental plant, and for wood
production. In adition, it can be useful in pulmonary affections and chronic ophtalmic. Thus, the aim of
this work was extent the knowledge about the biology of this species and for this purpose were
avaliated the effects of several factors on the germination. For the germination experiments, the seeds
were inicially scarified with sulfuric acid (20 min.) and after four replicates of 50 seeds in each Petri
dishes, covered with paper filter moistened with test-solution. The experiments were observed each 24
hours, being considerated germinated the seeds that presented radicle 2mm longer and positive
geotrophic curvature. A. pavonina did not present a hight tolerance to an induced water stress using
PEG 6000, with maximal limit between -0,4 and -0,5MPa. About the salt effects in the germination, it was
observed that the increase of osmotic potential of NaCl and CaCl2 solutions promoved a reduction in
the rate, germination percentage and informacional entropy. The extrem limit was between -1,2 and
-1,4MPa, being considered a glicophyte moderately tolerant. The thermal stress of different intensities
promoved a reduction in the rate and germination percentage of scarified, but not imbibed seeds. The
scarified and imbibed seeds were more sensitive to the thermal stress.