Myrcianthes cisplatensis leaf oil, obtained by steam distillation, was analysed by GC–FID and GC–MS. Twenty‐six components were identified in the oil (90% of the total composition); the enantiomeric distribution of α‐pinene, β‐pinene, limonene, linalool, terpinen‐4‐ol and α‐terpineol was studied by multidimensional HRGC–HRGC. The major component was 1,8‐cineole (54%). The enantiomeric purity for the (+) enantiomers for the monoterpenes studied was 96% for α‐pinene, 49% for β‐pinene, 100% for limonene, 94% for linalool, 50% for terpinen‐4‐ol and 64% for α‐terpineol. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.