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About the Australian National Herbarium

About the Australian National Herbarium

The Australian National Herbarium houses a major collection of plant specimens from across the country, providing invaluable scientific information about our native flora.

Banks specimens

19 June 2020 is the 200th anniversary of the death of English botanist Joseph Banks. 2020 is also the International Year of Plant Health.

Australian Tropical Herbarium

The Australian Tropical Herbarium is an amalgamation of three regional collections, comprising of about 180,000 specimens that are pressed, dried and mounted on herbarium sheets held in the Collection Room, and about 18,000 specimens that are preserved in 70% ethanol held in the Spirit Room.

Research highlights

World of cryptogams

Our research is leading to a better understanding of the world of cryptogams, tiny and ancient organisms like lichens and bryophytes.

Protecting native orchids

We have developed the most comprehensive reference guide for Australian orchids which can be used for identifying different varieties and ensuring their conservation.

Eucalypt identification guide

EUCLID, Eucalypts of Australia, is an app and website for easy identification of Australian eucalypts.

Acacia species family tree

We created an interactive display of Australia’s floral emblem – the wattle – to show how each species of acacia is related.

Weed seed key

Using specimens from the National Research Collections Australia, we have created an easy ID key for the seeds of weedy daisies. Our daisy weed seed key is used at Australia's borders to protect biosecurity and support trade.

Kokoda's biodiversity

Find out how the Australian National Herbarium is helping understand and protect the amazingly biodiverse Kokoda region in Papua New Guinea.

Protecting Australia's endangered plants

A recent report assessed 41 endangered or significant plants that occur in Australia's six Commonwealth National Parks, to identify ways to help these plants recover.

Identifying tropical rainforest plants

The 'Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants' (the Rain Forest Key, or RFK) – the foremost identification and botanical guide to rainforest plants of northern Australia has reached a new milestone with the release of the eighth edition. For the first time the RFK is available as a mobile application which will enable use in the field without an internet connection.