MOISTURE AND SEED-GERMINATION OF HYERONIMA-ALCHORNEOIDES FR ALLEMAO (EUPHORBIACEAE)

The effect of loss of moisture on the germination of seeds of Hyeronima alchorneoides Fr. Allemao (Euphorbiaceae) was studied. Seeds were collected at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica (10-degrees-26'N, 83-degrees-59'W), and stored in an air-conditioned room, with a mean relative humidity of 61 % and temperature of 23-degrees-C. The moisture content was determined every twelve hours and germination tests performed. Fresh seeds, with a moisture content of 68%, had a 43 % germination, which was not different (P>0.01) when the moisture content was reduced to 14 %.