Abstract:In order to compare the main components in tuberous and fibrous roots of Ophiopogon japonicus, the effective constituents and essential oils in roots were analyzed by spectrophotometry and GC-MS. The results showed that total sugar content in root tuber was higher than that in fibrous, while the contents of flavone and soluble sugar were opposite. There were 73 volatile compounds in identified, among them 50 and 48 compounds in tuberous and fibrous roots, respectively. Twenty-five compounds, such as sabinene, camphor and guaiol, were common in both roots. The contents of β-elemene, longifolene and viridiflorol in volatile oils were high. Low-boiling point alcohols and alkene were main compositions in essential oils of Ophiopogon japonicus. The kinds and contents of compounds in fibrous root were similar to those in tuberous root, and some compounds in fibrous root were even more than those in tuberous root. Therefore, fibrous root could be used as succedaneum of tuberous root in health products, research and development of drugs.