Frequency of somatic embryogenesis from callus cultures derived from immature cotyledon explants of Simarouba glauca Linn. was highest on solid MS medium supplemented with 11.1 μM benzyladenine and 13.42 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid. On transfer of the somatic embryos into maturation medium containing half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.89 μM abscisic acid (ABA) and 2% (w/v)sucrose, 20–25 % of embryos germinated within 20 days of culture with distinct cotyledon, hypocotyl and radicle.