Salaspermic acid, a new triterpene acid isolated from Salacia macrosperma Wight, has been shown to be 24 hydroxy-3-oxofriedelan-29-oic acid hemiacetal (IIIa) on the basis of spectral and chemical properties. The structure has been confirmed by an X-ray study of compound (VII) obtained from the acid by a sequence involving the enlargement of ring E. The present paper deals with the isolation of a new triterpene acid, named salaspermic acid, from the stemwood and root-wood of the plant and establishment of its structure as (IIIa).