A simple, rapid, selective and quant. HPTLC method has been developed for detn. of Catechin in different samples of Smilax perfoliata Lour. (Ramdatun) root. The ethanolic ext. of S. perfoliata (root) samples were applied on TLC aluminum plate pre coated with silica gel60 GF254 and developed using chloroform : methanol (8:2) vol./vol. as a mobile phase. The plate was sprayed (derivatized) with anisaldehyde-sulfuric acid reagent followed by heating at 110°C for 10 min and detection and quantification were carried out densitometrically using an UV detector at wavelength of 455 nm. Content of marker compd. in the samples was found similar.