Samples of Magnolia biondii buds (Xin Yi, Flos Magnoliae) from different sources were subjected to phytochemical analysis and compared to samples of M. denudata and M. liliiflora. Among the compounds found in the flower buds of M. biondii were eight tetrahydrofurofuran lignans as well as the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide and the sesquiterpene alcohol oplodiol. A rapid TLC-method for the identification of plant material from M. biondii and its distinction from M. liliiflora was developed. Structure elucidation was carried out by means of NMR (1- and 2-D) and LC-MS.