Somatic embryogenesis can be used for the rescue of threatened forest species. In this research work, the effect of the medium on the germination of Arbutus xalapensis zygotic embryos and 2,4-D growth regulator on induction of embryogenic callus was studied. Strawberry tree fruits were disinfested and the zygotic embryos of seeds were removed and put on MS, WPM and P889 mediums; while for induction of embryogenic callus, they were cultured on MS and WPM. The germination of embryos was affected substantially by culture medium used, being the WPM where 58 % of germination of zygotic embryos was obtained, compared with P889 and MS with 0 and 2 % germination, respectively. Zygotic embryos were placed on MS and WPM medium added with 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg L^-1 2,4-D, under light and dark conditions for 30 days. Embryos cultured in MS, and left under low light conditions, had not effect to any treatment to which they were subjected; however, under darkness condition embryogenic callus formation was possible to be induced in the concentration of 1 mg L^-1 2,4-D, while on WPM in light condition, the formation and growth of embryogenic callus was achieved by adding 2 mg L^-1; under darkness required only 1 mg L^-1. Culture medium is essential for the germination of the embryos, the combination of culture medium, the concentration of 2,4-D and the condition of light or darkness are fundamental factors in the induction of embryogenic callus of strawberry tree, required for subsequent studies of micropropagation and cryopreservation of this species.