Compact calli with a potential for somatic embryogenesis were obtained from complete or split mature zygotic embryos or from cotyledons and hypocotyls of in vitro grown seedlings of Sequoia sempervirens. Somatic embryos which showed a typical bipolar structure, were formed together with adventitious buds. When placed on filter paper supports they developed into complete plantlets. Of the various combinations tested, culture medium adapted from Murashige and Skoog mineral solution complemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (2 μM), kinetin (2 μM) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.5 μM) was established as the optimal for somatic embryo production.