Seeds of Stizolobium atterrimum ("mucuna-preta"), two varieties of Stizolobium deeringianurn ("mucuna-rajada" and "mucuna-anã"), and of Stizolobium sp. ("mucuna-jaspeada") were maintained under uncontrolled storage conditions et Campinas, State of São Paulo, Brazil, and tested for germination at every two months, for a total period of 30 months. Due to a smaller amount, the seeds of Stizolobium sp. ("jaspeada") were tested only until 12 months. The seeds of Stizolobium atterrimum ("preta") exhibited germination of 80.0% or higher until 30 months, while those of the two varieties of Stizolobium deeringianum ("rajada" and "anã") had significant decreases in germination, presenting at the end of the storage period, 64.7 and 58.1% germination, respectively. Until the 12 months period, the seeds of "preta", "rajada", "aná", and "jaspeada" decreased little in germination. From that time on, the germination percentages of "preta" were always statiscally superior to those seeds of "rajada" and "anã".
storage; deterioration; germination; Stizolobium