The objective of this work was to study the germination of Stylosanthes viscosa Sw. seeds by comparing the following treatments of scarification on the fruits or seeds: concentrated sulfuric acid for five and 10 minutes; dry heat at 85oC, for 10, 12 and 14 hours; boiling water for one minute. The control treatment used seeds or fruits which have not been scarified. Based upon normal seedling development, sulfuric acid treatment for 10 minutes provided the best results for seed germination, resulting from either seed or fruit scarification. Sulfuric acid applied to fruits for five minutes did not decrease seed hardness so effectively as application directly to seeds (29.5% and 0% of hard seeds, respectively). The dry heat treatment did not increase seed coat permeability to water. The number of dead seeds or fruits (90%, approximately) was significantly increased by boiling water treatment.