Abstract: In provide the data for discussion of the systematic position of Cathaya argyrophylla native in China, we have systematically stuied essential oil components of leaves of this species. There are 26 chemical components isolated and 19 chemical components identified by GC-MS. Four of them, a-pinene,β-pinene, trans-pinocarveol and verbenone, are the main ones, with their contents being 21.71%, 4.29%,4.70% and 5.00% respecpively.