ABSTRACT Senna pendula seeds dormancy is caused by impermeability of the seed coat to water. In order to determine the best methodology to overcome dormancy and to perform a morphological characterization, two batches of seeds were submitted to the following treatments: a) mechanical scarification of the seed coat; b) immersion in hot water at 70 °C for 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes; c) immersion in hot water at 90 °C for 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes; d) sulfuric acid concentrate for 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes; e) no treatment. The experiment was conducted in laboratory using a completely randomized design, with four replications of 25 seeds each, with daily verification for 7 days. The results showed that the use of water does not overcome the dormancy, however mechanical and chemical scarifications were the most effective treatments, with germination percentage of up to 94%.