Abstract The volatile constituents of the aerial parts of Scorzonera undulata Vahl subsp. deliciosa (Guss.) Maire obtained by steam distillation were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Thirty six constituents were identified in the oil and the main components of which were methyl hexadecanoate (30.4%), methyl linolenate (23.9%) and heneicosane (12.2%) The antimicrobial activity of the oil was also investigated. The Scorzonera undulata subsp. deliciosa oil exhibited an interesting antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa but no antifungal activity was detected.