1,3,7,8-Tetrahydroxyxanthone, 1,7,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone, 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone, and 1-hydroxy-3,4,7,8-tetramethoxyxanthone have been identified in Swertia lawii. In addition, 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxy- and 1-hydroxy-3,5,8-trimethoxyxanthone has been detected by analytical TLC. Chemotaxonomic significance of the polyoxygenated xanthones occurring in the Swertia is appraised.