Abstract The essential oil from leaves of Croton sacaquinha Benth., locally known as sacaquinha, was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents were Î²-elemene (12.0%), germacrene D (10.1%), linalool (5.8%) and Î²-caryophyllene (5.7%). A total of 49 substances were identified, representing 78.4% of the oil.