AbstractThe essential oils of Lippia lupulina, collected in three localities of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC–MS. The major components identified in the oil from stalks and their leaves of the specimen collected at Chapada dos Guimarães, were terpinen‐4‐ol (41.3%), terpinolene (10.4%) and α‐terpineol (9.2%). The main compounds found in the oil from the same aerial parts of the specimen located at Poxoréo were 1,8‐cineole (15.5%), β‐caryophyllene (12.3%) and endo‐fenchol (10.4%). The oils from stalks and their leaves and flowers of the specimen collected at Santo Antonio do Leverger consisted largely of germacrene D (14.8%, 12.9%), β‐caryophyllene (12.7%, 10.2%) and bicyclogermacrene (11.2%, 15.4%), respectively. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.