Simple aliphatic monoamines are formed in the red algae by a non-specific amino acid carboxy-lyase. An aldehyde-amino acid transaminase with broad substrate specificity is the mechanism for the formation of these amines in many higher plants. Putrescine accumulates in response to potassium and magnesium deficiency, and the amount of this diamine is greatly increased on supplying nitrogen as ammonium salts. Putrescine is also found at high levels in rapidly growing tissues. Cadaverine occurs in several leguminous plants. Putrescine, spermidine and spermine have been detected in many different species of plants, and they are probably ubiquitous. The polyamines are probably synthesized in plants by the pathways already demonstrated in animals and micro-organisms. Several new polyamine alkaloids have been characterized. Amine oxidases are probably involved in the formation of nicotine and indol-3yl-acetic acid. The amine oxidases from the Leguminosae and Gramineae have been further characterized. Carboxy-lyases have been demonstrated for tryptophan, tyrosine and DOPA. Cacti contain a large variety of phenethylamine derivatives related to mescaline. © 1975.