Abstract The volatiles obtained by microdistillation from the crushed seeds of Hesperis bicuspidata (Willd.) Poir., H. bottae Fourn. and H. podocarpa Boiss. (Apiaceae), were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) systems, simultaneously. The major constituent was found as octyl acetate (44%, 29% and 42%) in the volatiles of H. bicuspidata, H. bottae, H. podocarpa, respectively.