Abstract: OBJECTIVE To establish a fingerprint of Desmodium caudatum based on HPLC and chemometrics， and to provide a scientific evaluation method for its quality control. METHODS A HPLC method was developed for the determination of 10 batches of Desmodium caudatum by using ZORBAX SB-C₁₈（5 μm，4.6 mm×250 mm） column with a detection wavelength of 330 nm and gradient elution with methanol-0.2% phosphoric acid solution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. RESULTS The HPLC fingerprint of Desmodium caudatum was established， 13 common peaks were calibrated， and the similarity of fingerprint was above 0.9. Cluster analysis classified the samples into 4 categories， which was basically consistent with the results of principal component analysis. The effect of the quality difference of Desmodium caudatum was the result of the synergistic action of multi-components. CONCLUSION The fingerprint of Desmodium caudatum was analyzed by HPLC combined with chemometrics. The method has strong specificity， good precision， stability and reproducibility. It can be used as an effective method for quality evaluation and control of Desmodium caudatum.