Trichome microsampling and HPLC analysis revealed the presence of sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids in capitate glandular trichomes from the leaf surface of various species of Scalesia. The paucity in plant material of these plants, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, necessitated the use of micropreparative techniques including LC-NMR and LC-MS for structure elucidation. Leaf extracts of Scalesia baurii ssp. hopkinsii, S. stewartii and a combined sample of several species of the genus afforded two eudesmanolides, four guaianolides, four xanthanolides and three flavanones. This is the first report on the terpenoid chemistry of Scalesia and the chemotaxonomic aspects are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.