<jats:p>A pinitol galactoside isolated from ethanol extracts of seeds of T. subterraneum has been shown to be 1D-2-O-(α-D-galactopyranosyl)-4-O- methy-chiro-inosito (1). The structure is based on successive periodate oxidation, borohydride reduction, hydrolysis and acetylation (Smith degradation), yielding the tetraacetate of 2-O-methyl-L-xylitol. The seeds of 39 pasture legumes from 13 different genera and 26 species have been analysed by gas chromatography for (1), myo-inositol, D-(+)- pinitol and galactinol.