Desiccation sensitivity of seeds and ethnobotany of S. guineense (Willd.) DC. ssp.rnafromontanum (Myrtaceae) were investigated based on both field and laboratoryrnexperiments. The field study component includes ethnobotanical data and seedrncollection. The laboratory work includes moisture content determination and viabilityrntest. Desiccation sensitivity of seeds were assessed based on germination testsrnfollowing desiccation and indigenous knowledge of the local communities using semirnstructured interview in the locality of Bombaso Regi peasant association of Arsi NegelernWoreda, West Arsi Zone of Oromia Region where the seeds were collected. Seeds withrninitial moisture content of 51% had 99% germination percentage. The germinationrnpercentage declined significantly following desiccation until none of the seedsrngerminated at 24% moisture content. The germination percentage declined slowly fromrn99% (initial) to 78% at 37% moisture content. There was an abrupt loss of germinationrnpercentage from 78% to 16% below 37% moisture content which indicates that therncritical moisture content was around 37%. The result has shown that seeds are veryrnsensitive to desiccation which exhibited that the species could be classified asrnrecalcitrant seed storage behaviors. It was also investigated that the local people havernconsiderable indigenous knowledge about this tree and its use as construction material,rntimber, fuel wood, charcoal making, and local medicine and as wild edible fruit havernbeen recorded. In addition to having desiccation-sensitive seeds, the plant has beenrnlocally threatened with high degree of exploitation with no actions of conservation.rnTherefore, there should be urgent implementation of conservation options suitable forrnthe species. In addition to in-situ conservation options further research should be donernto find suitable alternatives for long term conservation option as cryopreservation