The alkaloid pattern from various organs of Leontice leontopetalum L. and L. ewersmannii Bge. (Berberidaceae) was analyzed by capillary GC and GC-MS. For L. leontopetalum 19 quinolizidine alkaloids could be detected; 15 compounds are new for this species. The alkaloid pattern of L. leontopetalum is characterized by quinolizidine alkaloids of the lupanine-type with lupanine as main compound. In L. ewersmannii 15 quinolizidine alkaloids could be found; nine constituents are described for this species for the first time. In contrast to L. leontopetalum, L. ewersmannii accumulates quinolizidine alkaloids of the matrine-type and the α-pyridone-type as major compounds. The taxonomic meaning of alkaloid profiles in Leontice and Leonticeae is discussed. © 1993.