The genus Zanthoxylum comprises of some 200 species distributed over the world, many of which have been chemically explored because of the occurrence of compounds covering a wide range of skeletal patterns in the Rutaceae. This particular genus belonging to the subfamily Rutoideae, is noted for its febrifuge, sudorific and diuretic properties. A chemically uninvestigated species of this genus, Zanthoxylum ovalifolium, was collected from an altitude of nearly 8000-9000 ft from the Darjeeling District in the Himalayan Ranges. The plant is mainly distributed in the hilly regions of North and South India (Nilgiri hilly regions). It is a shrub with short prickles, leaves obtuse, emarginate with elliptic-oblong or obovate genulate tips. The leaves of North Indian plants are usually larger than those of South Indian ones. Chemical examination of the root-bark and stem-bark of this plant resulted in the isolation of 6-canthinone (I) from the basic fraction, and aurapten (II), isopimpinellin (III), β-amyrin and sitosterol from the neutral fraction-being eluted out of the column in succession. Identity of each compound, as indicated by their physical data, was established by direct comparison (m.m.p. determination, co-TLC, superimposable IR) with respective authentic samples available in this laboratory. The isolation of 6-canthinone from Zanthoxylum ovalifolium constitutes the third report of the occurrence of this type of alkaloid in a species of Zanthoxylum, the earlier reports being from Z. suberosum (syn. Z. dominianum) and Z. elephantiasis.