Abstract: The contents of dalichasu (1,2-di-O-galloyl-4,6-O-(S)hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-D-glucopyranose), catechins, theogallin, gallic acid, caffeine and theanine in old tea trees from BaiYingShan mountain were quantitatively analyzed by HPLC method, while their total polysaccharides and polyphenols were measured by an UVVis spectrophotometer. Based on the chemical composition and morphological variation, the germplasm resource diversity of tea trees in BaiYingShan Mountain and their relationship with wild Camellia taliensis and cultivated tea (Csinensis var assamica) were discussed. The results provided not only the scientific data of quality evaluation of the old tea trees in BaiYingShan Mountain, but also the chemical evidence for the origin of cultivated tea and the hypothesis that Ctaliensis might be one of the origins of cultivated tea during the long natural variation and artificial breeding.

Key words: Old tea tree, Catechins, Caffeine, Theogallin