A new isoquinolone alkaloid, northalifoline [1] was obtained from the pedicels of Lindera megaphylla along with six other alkaloids, namely, (+)-O-methylbulbocapnine [2], (+)-dicentrine [3] dicentrinone [4], (+)-N-methylnandigerine [51], (+)-N-methylhernovine [6], and (+)-reticuline [7]. Characterization of northalifoline [1] by physical methods and synthesis revealed its identity as 6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. © 1994, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.