The aim of this work was extent the knowledge about the biology of Adenanthera pavonina L., 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. The objective of this work was to verify the best substratum to seed germination and to study the performance on the accelerated aging test. For the germination experiments, the seeds were inicially scarified with sulfuric acid (20min.) and after were distributed in 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. In relation to the effects of the substracts, it was observed that paper, cotton and ?vermiculita? promoved good conditions for germination tests. The accelerated aging was not effective to broke mechanical dormancy, but affected the seed viability and vigour.