Elnir, O., Department of Medicinal, Spice and Aromatic Plants, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar, Haifa, 31-999, Israel, Haifa Chemicals Ltd, Haifa, PO 1809, Israel, The Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Ravid, U., Department of Medicinal, Spice and Aromatic Plants, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar, Haifa, 31-999, Israel
Putievsky, E., Department of Medicinal, Spice and Aromatic Plants, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar, Haifa, 31-999, Israel
Dudai, N., Department of Medicinal, Spice and Aromatic Plants, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar, Haifa, 31-999, Israel
Ladizinsky, G., Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel

The chemical composition of two essential oil types of Salvia sclarea L. during early and late flowering stages was analysed. A new chemotype with relatively high citral, geranyl acetate and geraniol content was observed in two small populations growing in northern Israel. Comparison of the new chemotype with a Russian type showed a great difference in composition and organoleptic character between the two oils. The highest amount of mono‐ and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons was detected in the Israeli type, at the early flowering stage. The relative quantity of most components of hybrid oils was intermediate between those of the parent plants. Copyright © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd