AIM:To establish a simple RP-HPLC method for determining levodopa in Mucuna pruriens var.utilis,and study the levodopa content in different parts of Mucuna pruriens var.utilis and in various growth periods two cultispecies(white flower and purpleflower). METHODS: A RP-HPLC method was used for the determination of levodopa on a Polaris RP-C18(250 mm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) column.The mobile phase was methanol-potassium dihydrogne phosphate(10∶90,pH3.38)for seed,flower,leaf,stem and root,and methanol-potassium dihydrogne phosphate(5∶95,pH3.17)for pod.The detection wavelength was at 280 nm,and flow rate was 1 mL/min. RESULTS: The levodopa content in seed and white-flower cultispecies were higher.In the growth periods,the levodopa content was higher in the sample collected when the pod matured and became dry. CONCLUSION: White-flower cultispecies of M.pruriens var.utilis is the good cultispecies.matured and dry pod is the optimal harvesting time for this herbal medicine.