Four germacranolides, named calealactones A-C and 2,3-epoxycalealactone A, were isolated from the leaves of Calea urticifolia (Compositae) in addition to three known germacranolides. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis including by 2D NMR spectroscopy. Calealactone C and 2,3-epoxyjuanisulamin displayed potent toxicity to U937 cells. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.