The major volatile constituents of the oils from the integral parts of Cleome viscosa L.from Nigeria have been identified by GC, GC/MS and 1H NMR.The main constituents of the non-polar fraction of the oils were monoterpene hydrocarbons (21% in telemarkskongen flue stem/leaves, 15% in seed/fruits, 12% in roots) and some oxygenated derivatives (3% in leaves/stem; 1% in seeds/fruits and 1.5% in roots).The monoterpenes occurred frequently in the oils.
Fatty acid esters especially ethyl palmitate which constituted a major constituent in the here oil from the seeds/fruits was not detected in the oils from the roots.