<jats:p> A new alkaloid pleurospermine, C14Hl9O3N, has been isolated from the leaves of Cryptocarya pleurosperma. Pleurospermine contains a methoxyl group, a phenolic hydroxyl group, and a tertiary nitrogen atom. The third oxygen atom is possibly present as an alcoholic hydroxyl group. On heating with palladium-charcoal the alkaloid yields 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone (I), while methylation followed by oxidation gives veratric acid.