<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Two germacradienols, 4‐β‐hydroxygermacra‐1(10),5‐diene (β‐germacrenol) and 6‐α‐hydroxygermacra‐1(10), 4‐diene (kunzeaol) were identified in the solvent extracts of members of the family Myrtaceae. Acid solvolysis associated with steam distillation or leaf ageing causes these germacradienols to rearrange to a mixture of (+)‐δ‐cadinene, α‐cadinol, τ‐cadinol, α‐muurolol, τ‐muurolol and associated sesquiterpenoids. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.