A sensitive method for the extraction and atomic absorption spectrometric measurement with electrothermal atomization has been developed for the determination of bismuth in tea and orchard leaves. Bismuth is extracted into m-xylene as diethyldithiocarbamate complex. 2.5-3.0 l/min of argon flow rate, 650-800° C of ashing temperature and 2,200-2,600° C of atomization temperature were the best experimental conditions. A detection limit of 0.02 ng was obtained with a precision of 2-7% and minimal interference effects. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.