Plant regeneration through direct somatic embryogenesis was achieved from root segments derived from in vitro shoots of Rauvolfia micrantha Hook. f. (Apocynaceae) grown for 6 wk in half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3% sucrose, 100 mg l⁻¹ myo-inositol, and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The effects of photoperiod and plant growth regulators (PGRs) in half-strength MS medium were studied for the rapid and maximum induction of somatic embryos. The characteristic globular or heart-shaped stages of somatic embryogenesis were not found and cotyledonary stage embryos occasionally appeared without the intervention of callus in total darkness and 16-h photoperiod. Root segments cultured in the medium containing 0.1 mg l⁻¹ NAA and 0.2 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA) under 16-h photoperiod showed the maximum frequency (39%) of embryogenesis. The frequency of embryo formation was increased to 63% when they were cultured in medium with 0.1 mg l⁻¹ NAA and 0.2 mg l⁻¹ BA in the dark for 4 wk, then grown under the 16-h photoperiod. Explants with developing embryos developed into plants after transfer to half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l⁻¹ BA and 0.05 mg l⁻¹ NAA. The well-developed plants were hardened and most plants (80%) survived and were phenotypically similar to the mother plants.