This first phytochemical study of leaves of Ocotea caudata led to the isolation of ten isoquinoline alkaloids, one of them previously unreported, S-(+)-9-O-demethylnorpreocoteine (1), three known flavonoids, two phenols, two eudesmane type sesquiterpenoids, one proline derivative, one fatty alcohol and a phytosterol. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses including HSQC, HMBC, 1H–1H COSY, NOESY, as well as HRESIMS data in addition to comparison with reports in the literature. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.