Objective The nitrate, nitrite and vitamin C of 10 kinds of potherbs and 4 kinds of common vegetables in southen Shanxi were determined. Method Nitrate contents were measured by cadmium column method. Nitrite contents were determined by hydrochloric acid-naphthyl-ethylenediamine method. Vitamin C contents were determined by 2, 6- dichlorophenol indophenol titration. Results The nitrate contents ofM edicago sativa L. , cucumbers and tomatoswere lower than the light pollution level. Their nitrite contents were less than the limited standards, and their vitamin C contents were very low. Thus theywere the first class ediblewild vegetables and could be eaten anyway ( in fresh, after salted or cooked). The nitrate contents of Portulaca oleracea L. , Capsella bursa2pastoris (L. ) Medic. , and Taraxacum mongolicum Hand- Mazz. were lower than medium pollution levels, their nitrite contents of less than or equal to the limited standards, and their vitamin C contentswere high, or higher. Thus they were the second class edible wild vegetables and could not be eaten in fresh. Because the nitrate contentswere high, Sonchus arvensis L. , Plantago asiatica L. , Ixeris denticulate (Houtt. ) Stebb and carrots could be eaten after cooked. The nitrate contents of Chenopodium album L. , A rtem isia capillaries Thunb. , Kochia scoparia (L. ) Schrad. and sp inachs were higher than 1234 mg/kg, belonging to heavy pollution levels. And their nitrite contentswere greater than or equal to the limited standards. But because of high levels of vitamin C, theywere unfit for eating or limited eating. Conclusion The contents ofmost of potherbswere higher than vegetables