Abstract The volatiles obtained by hydrodistillation and methanol extraction of the aerial parts of Ferulago carduchorum Boiss. et Hausskn. and Levisticum officinale Koch., two Umbelliferae species of Iran, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oil and extract obtained by hydrodistillation and extraction of F. carduchorum were characterized by a high amount of monoterpene hydrocarbons (93.8% and 70%, respectively). The main components of the oil and extract were (Z)-β-ocimene (21.2% and 20.0%), terpinolene (13.1% and 6.0%), α-phellandrene (12.7% and 8.3%) and β-phellandrene (10.9% and 8.8%), respectively. The water distilled oil and methanol extract of the air-dried Levisticum officinale were also both rich in monoterpenes (85.8% and 52.9%, respectively). In the oil α-terpinyl acetate (40.5%) and β-phellandrene (16.7%) were the main constituents, whereas in the extract β-phellandrene (23.0%), naphtalene (20.6%) and γ-terpinene (12.1%) were the major components.