Resumo. ABSTRACT Although considered a species both economically and ecological valuable, there are several gaps to be filled about Aspidosperma parvifolium (guatambu). Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the germination of guatambu, derived from fruit collected from the ground and from the tree matrix. The results showed that the seeds of open stemmed fruit collected from the ground, had higher germination percentage (76%), but no significant difference with the seeds of open stemmed fruit harvested from trees (63%) and also the closed cleft fruits collected from the tree (65%). It is also observed that the lowest germination (48%) was obtained for the seeds of the fruits without cleft closed, however, was not statistically differentiated from those seeds stemmed from opened fruits harvested from trees and also fruits closed with cleft. Thus, it can be concluded that seeds from opened fruits collected from the ground or from the tree and fruits with cleft, collected directly from the tree matrix show better germination percentage.