-Information about the morphology, chemical composition and reserve mobilization is important in understanding the establishment of native and exotic species. The purpose of this study was to describe the morphology, chemical composition, and mobilization of reserves during germination of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.). Biometric and morphological analyzes were performed with 100 randomly selected dried seeds. Other seeds were treated with sulfuric acid PA and soaked in Petri dishes. Collected seeds of five different times of germination were used for cytochemical and chemical analysis. For cytochemical analysis, the cuts of 5 m were submitted to dyes TB at pH 4.0; XP at pH 2.5, reaction of PAS and Sudan IV. The seeds were crushed for chemical analysis with lipids, proteins and soluble sugars extraction that were determined gravimetrically, by the Bradford method and the Antrona method, respectively. The fatty acid composition of the dry seed was determined by gas chromatography. Noni seeds are albuminous and have a thick seed coat, rich in lignin. Lipid and protein bodies were observed inside the endosperm cells, representing 43.50% and 9.15% respectively, while the reservoir of soluble sugars was less than 5%. Linoleic acid was the most prevalent with 68.1%. The lipids were mobilized during germination, suffering a reduction of up to 38% of its total. Proteins, as well as lipids decreased by 25.78% during the germination period observed. The main reserves of noni seeds are lipids and proteins that are mobilized during germination to provide energy and matter to the developing embryo and synthesis of more complex compounds.Key words: Cytochemical. Lipids. Fatty acids. Proteins. Germination.RESUMO -Informações sobre as características morfológicas, a composição química e mobilização de reservas são fundamentais na compreensão do estabelecimento de espécies nativas e exóticas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever a morfologia, a composição química e a mobilização das reservas durante a germinação das sementes de noni (Morinda citrifolia L.). As análises morfológica e biométrica foram feitas com 100 sementes secas escolhidas aleatoriamente. Para as análises citoquímica cortes de 5 µm foram submetidos aos corantes AT em pH 4,0; XP em pH 2,5; reação do PAS e Sudan IV. As determinações químicas para lipídeos, proteínas e açúcares solúveis foram realizadas por gravimetria, pelo método de Bradford e pelo método da Antrona, respectivamente. A composição de ácidos graxos da semente seca também foi determinada por cromatografia gasosa. As sementes de noni são albuminosas e apresentam um tegumento espesso, rico em lignina. Foram observados corpos lipídicos e protéicos nas células do endosperma, representando 43,50% e 9,15%, respectivamente, enquanto que as reservas de açúcares solúveis foram inferiores a 5%. O ácido linoléico foi o mais predominante com 68,1%. Os lipídeos foram mobilizados, sofrendo redução de até 38% do seu total. Como também as proteínas sofreram redução de 25,78% durante o tempo de germinação ...