Root cultures of Menispermum dauricum were established from adventitious roots formed on the leaf segments. These roots produce dauricine as a major constituent and the optimum conditions for dauricine production in cultured roots were investigated. A dauricine content of more than 0.5% dry weight was achieved in Gamborg's BS medium containing 3% sucrose and 7.5 pM NAA. Tyrosine and tyramine, possible precursors of dauricine, increased dauricine formation. There was a positive correlation between dauricine content and root growth.