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Seed germination of two woody species (Periploca angustifolia and Rhus tripartita), indigenous plants from arid and semi-and regions of Tunisia, were assessed under controlled conditions by determining the optimum temperature of germination and simulating drought stress using PEG 6000 and salt stress using different concentrations of NaCl The germination response of the seeds in darkness were determined over a wide range of temperatures (10 degrees C to 30 degrees C). salinity (0 mM to 400 mM) and water stress (0 MPa to -3 MPa) Our results suggest that germination percentage is influenced by salt and osmotic stress at 25 degrees C and 15 degrees C respectively for P angustifolia and R tripartite which represent their optimum temperature of germination However, studied species responded differently to stress induced by NaCl and PEG 6000 P angustifolia manifested better adaptation to drought conditions compared to R tripartite These findings form the basis for future trials involving the use of indigenous shrubs in the restoration of rangelands