The essential oil of Pallenis spinosa (L.) Cass. was obtained by hydrodistillation. In total 38 components were identified by GC and GC-MS. Oxygenated sesquiterpenoids amounted to 60.2% of the oil. The main components were germacra-1(10),5-dien-3,4-diol (18.4%), alpha-cadinol (14.1%), 3-acetoxygermacra-1(10),5-dien-4-ol (13.0%), T-cadinol (8.2%) and delta-cadinene (5.8%). The oil does not show antimicrobial activity. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.