Abstract Aerial parts of Physocaulis nodosus (L.) W.D.J.Koch. (Apiaceae) collected on Hajla mountain possessed an essential oil in 0.62% yield (expressed in g per 100 g of dried plant material). The oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Among 21 compounds 16 were identified, representing 93.0% of total oil composition. Dominant compounds were sabinene (36.4%), limonene (27.7%) and Î²-pinene (9.8%). The oil possessed a limited antibacterial activity against Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.