The present descriptive study aimed to elucidate the morphoanatomical and developmental features of fruits, seeds and seedlings of Pseudima frutescens (Sapindaceae), which is a tree species. Flowers and fruits at different developmental stages were used in the descriptions. A hundred seeds were set in germination boxes (four seeds per box) on filter paper moistened with distilled water and kept at 25+1ºC to observe seedling germination and development. The fruit of this species, which has two seeds, is a round obcordate capsule, lobed, reddish-orange on the outside and orange on the inside. The seed exalbuminous, is ovoid, black and shiny; the embryo, occupying all the inside of the seed, has fleshy cotyledons and a short hypocotyl-radicle axis. The seedling is cryptocotyledonary and the germination, which is hypogeal, occurred under light conditions and started from the fifth day after sowing. By the eighth day, the root measured 17mm in length, showing numerous absorbent hairs on its full extent. After 14 days, the epicotyl (slightly green) emerged. The seedling exhibited, after 30 days, two pairs of compound eophylls and, by the sixtieth day, the primary root measured 12cm long with many lateral roots; the epicotyl was 9cm long and had six expanded leaves. In view of the fact that the development of the seedling is considered relatively quick, P. frutescens may be indicated for the use in the recovery of degraded areas.
morphology; anatomy; germination
