The role of mucilage in the germination of 14 species of medicinal plants from six families was investigated. Germination tests were conducted using four replications of 25 seeds of each species in Petri dishes lined with filter paper and premoistened with either distilled water or experimental solutions. For seven species that showed germination below 80% in water, scarification, prechilling, KNO3 and GA were applied on both intact and demucilaged seeds to investigate the possible role of mucilage in controlling seed dormancy. Removing the mucilage increased both the speed and final germination. All dormancy-breaking treatments improved the germination of both intact and demucilaged seeds, though GA3 was the most effective, indicating the possibility of physiological dormancy.

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