The present study investigates dormancy and germination of Viburnum treleasei, a threatened endemic species of the Azores Archipelago. Embryos in fresh ripe pseudodrupes were linear, underdeveloped, and 15% the length of the endosperm. Imbibition occurred in seeds inside intact fruits. Scarification had a significant effect on germination but not in the presence of inadequate incubation temperatures and light conditions. Seeds lost viability after 12 months of dry storage at room temperature. Treatments with 1000 mg l^-1 of gibberellic acid, alone or combined with 30 mg l^-1 of kinetin, an incubation temperature of 10ºC, a light period of 8 h, and chemical scarification significantly improved germination. There was an average period of 44 days between radicle emergence and development of the cotyledon leaves but cold stratification was not required to break epicotyl dormancy. Embryo characteristics and germination requirements indicate the presence of non-deep, simple, epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy.