Objective To identify and analyze the main chemical components, their contents and change in the flowers and leaves of Camellia nitidissima, and to provide the basis for further exploitation and utilization of C. nitidissima.

Method The components and contents of anthocyanins, flavonoids and catechins in the flowers and leaves of C. nitidissima were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry.

Result Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and pelargonium-3-O-glucoside were identified in C. nitidissima for the first time, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was only found in the new purple leaves. Luteolin-7-O-rutinoside and genistin were identified in C. nitidissima for the first time, and the quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-7-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside were found in leaves of C. nitidissima for the first time. The contents of anthocyanins between petals and stamens had no obvious difference, but were lower than that in leaves, especially new leaves. Instead, the contents of catechins in flowers were well higher than that in leaves, especially new leaves. The contents of total flavonoids, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside between petals and stamens had no obvious differences, but were far higher than that in leaves. The contents of total flavonoids and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside which was the main flavonoids in new leaves were significantly higher than that in old leaves.

Conclusion Two anthocyanins, six flavonoids and two catechins are identified in C. nitidissima. The quercetin-3-O-glucoside and other flavonoids are the main cause of the yellow color of flowers, and the cyanidin-3-o-glucoside is the main cause of the purple color of new leaves of C. nitidissima.