Abstract: The volatile components of the essential oils from the leaves of Rhododendron dauricum L. were extracted by steam distillation and then analyzed by GC-MS. Total of Fifty four volatile components were identified, composed of 97.84% of total essential oil. The major volatile components are: eduesmol, relative content 10.95%; β-guaiene, relative content 10.21%; longifolenaldehyde, relative content 7.88%; 1,5,9,9-tetramethyl-1,4,7-cycloundecatriene, relative content 7.80%; germacrone, relative content 5.91%; (-)-Humulene epoxide Ⅱ, relative content 5.52%; 2-heptyl-1,3-dioxolane, relative content 4.99%; caryophyllene, relative content 3.70%; (+)-γ-gurjunene, the relative content 3.44%.

Key words: Rhododendron dauricum L., volatile components, GC-MS