It is shown that in the majority of higher plant halophytes examined proline is the major component of the amino acid pool in plants collected from the field. In Triglochin maritima L. free proline can represent 10-20% of the shoot dry weight. Under non-saline conditions proline levels are low and increase as the salinity is raised. Comparisons of inland and coastal populations of Ameria maritima Willd. suggest that the capacity to accumulate proline is correlated with salt tolerance. It is suggested that proline functions as a source of solute for intracellular osmotic adjustments under saline conditions.