In order to find out whether γ pentachlorocyclohexene (γ PCCH), which has been identified as a metabolite of lindane in experiments with higher plants, soil, houseflies and rats, constitutes a provisional end product of the lindane metabolism in higher plants or an intermediary metabolite (as in mammals), maize seedlings and pea seedlings were kept in a suspension of 25 mg γ PCCH in 500 ml water for several days and examined for γ PCCH metabolites by means of gas chromatography and mass spectometry. It was found that γ PCCH undergoes further conversion into a series of chlorinated benzols and phenols. The differences in metabolic products between peas and maize suggest that the metabolism of γ PCCH proceeds differently in distinct plant species. A possible pathway of the γ PCCH metabolism in higher plants is depicted.