Sixteen types of mandarins were screened for their leaf flavonoid patterns with the help of cellulose thin-layer chromatography. In general, Tanaka's classification of mandarins into 36 species is untenable, as was already concluded by Swingle (1948), Hodgson (1965) and Singh (1967). It is likely that a fine loose skinned mandarin was first evolved. Later, it hybridized with wild mandarin to give rise to numerous types and forms.