Borassus aethiopum Mart. (Arecaceae, Coryphoideae) is a dioecious tree (Fig. 1) endemic to Africa which is widely distributed in savannah regions of the continent (Fig. 2). It is a multipurpose palm playing a prominent socio-economic role in local population (Fig. 3). In Benin, the hypocotyls are exploited for human diet resulting in an intense pressure on natural stands of the species with consequences on regeneration. The lack of information on seed germination and conservation hinders seedling production for sustainable Borassus aethiopum population management. In this context, we have undertaken to first describe the morpho/anatomy and germination behaviour of mature seeds, for the purpose of later addressing the physiological aspects of seed conservation.