［Abstract］Objective To establish efficient methods for identifying triterpene acids, including oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, in Fructus chaenomelis by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Methods The drops of samples on the plate of silica gel G were preprocessed with methylene dichloride solution containing 1% iodine, and then developed with the developer consisting of cyclohexane-acetone-acetic ether-methanoic acid (9∶2∶1∶0.2). Results Oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, and 3-O-acetyl ursolic acid in Fructus chaenomelis could be identified clearly. Conclusion TLC is simple and reliable, and it has specificity and objectivity for identifying Fructus chaenomelis.