Ligularia vellerea and L. melanothyrsa have been found to share chemical characteristics based on geography. In one chemotype (Shangrila type), the major components were either 15-oxygenated furanoeremophilanes or eremophilanolides; and in another (Luguhu type), either 1-angeloyloxyfuranoeremophilanes or corresponding lactones. The two L. vellerea samples were found to have experienced hybridization with either L. cyathiceps or L. kanaitzensis; however, compounds typical of L. vellerea alone were isolated from them.