Recanescine, a new sedative principle of Rauwolfia canescens Linn, has been isolated. Hydrolysis of recanescine yielded 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid and methyl recanescate, characterized as a tosyl ester. Reductive cleavage of recanescine afforded recanescic alcohol and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol, From the spectral data, the structure of recanescine as 11-desmethoxyreserpine has been suggested. © 1955, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.