Abstract The alkaloids present in the seeds or foliage of six Erythrina species, E. americana Miller, E. coralloides A. DC., E. lepthoriza A. DC., E. mexicana Krukoff, E. oaxacana Krukoff and E. sousae Krukoff have been screened by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The concentration of alkaloids was variable among species and organs, but highest in flowers and seeds. The composition of alkaloids in seeds, flowers, leaves and bark was different among species. The alkaloids of the dienoid type were most abundant than alkenoid series. Erysotrine, erythraline and erythratidine were detected in E. lepthoriza, E. mexicana, E. oaxacana and E. sousae. 11-hydroxylated, 11-methoxylated and y 8-oxo-alkaloids (crystamidine and erysotramidine) and erybidine, not described previously in these species were also detected. Erysotrine-N-oxide has been isolated from E. leptorhiza for the first time. The erythroidines were the main alkaloids detected in E. americana and E. coralloides together with minor alkaloids which support their taxonomic differences.