Abstract

POZO-GOMEZ, Brenda Karina et al. Germination of Ormosia macrocalyx Ducke (Fabaceae), an endangered native tree. Polibotánica [online]. 2026, n.61, pp.181-191.  Epub May 18, 2026. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.61.10.

Ormosia macrocalyx, commonly known as colorín in southern Mexico, is a native tree with various uses in rural communities. Its seeds are used in handicrafts, its leaves and bark in traditional herbal medicine, and its wood, due to its hardness, is utilized in furniture and house construction. However, uncontrolled exploitation without sustainable management has led to its classification as an endangered species. The objective of this research was to analyze the germination process of its seeds to generate information that could help develop conservation and sustainable management strategies. Seeds were collected to determine their weight (g), length (mm), and width (mm). Viability was assessed using tetrazolium, and three pre-germination treatments were applied. A completely randomized design was used. The average seed size was 10.85 ± 0.54 mm in length and 9.95 ± 0.54 mm in width, with a weight of 0.61 ± 0.08 g. They exhibited 100% ± 2.44% viability. The germination process of scarified seeds began 12 days after sowing (DAS), achieving 83% germination, significantly higher than the control (31.33%). It is concluded that this species requires scarification treatments to accelerate the germination process and increase the final germination rate.

Keywords : Fabaceae; seed analysis; pre-germination treatments; sustainable management.

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