Germination of fruit of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) from three out of four sources was enhanced by 9 to 41% by removal of the fruit coat, and by 21% by washing the fruit for 70 h. Brown-black seed germinated more rapidly than the black and brown seed after washing for 70 h. The washing treatment appeared to remove some unknown inhibitors. After washing, seed germination was found to be positively correlated with seed size.