Abstract Steam distilled essential oil from aerial parts of Xeranthemum annuum L. was analyzed by GC/MS. Ninety-seven compounds were identified. The essential oil was characterized by a high amount of monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons of which Î²-pinene (15.2%) and Î²-caryophyllene (8.6%) were the major constituents. Key Word Index: Xeranthemum annuum Asteraceaeessential oil compositionÎ²-pinene