A previous study had revealed unexpected differences in the alkaloid profiles within the Genista cinerea aggregate belonging to the section Spartioides. Extending these analyses the alkaloid patterns of 10 further species of the section Spartioides were investigated. At least 31 alkaloids were detected by GC and GC-MS. A chemical dichotomy was demonstrated for the species of the section Spartioides: one group of species contained the α-pyridone alkaloids cytisine, N-methylcytisine and anagyrine as major alkaloids, while the other group contained lupanine, 13-hydroxylupanine and its esters as main compounds. The alkaloidal data do not support the actual concept of the section Spartioides.