Fourteen fern, two horsetail (Pteridophyta), three clubmoss (Lycopodiophyta), nine moss and two liverwort (Bryophyta, Marchantiophyta) species were examined for the presence of betaines. Glycinebetaine was detected in some of the fern, clubmoss, moss and liverwort species, but not in either of the two horsetail species examined. However, trigonelline was detected in one (Equisetum telmateia). Thus, betaines have now been found in at least some species in all the major phyla of green plants.