The Queensland Herbarium was established in 1859 and is the state’s first and oldest scientific institution. It houses over 900,000 of the state’s plant specimen collection, representing Queensland’s native and naturalised plant species, and 150 years of species discovery. The Herbarium is central to the research, identification and dissemination of information on the state’s plants, fungi, algae and animals, and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Queensland’s ecosystems have been surveyed, mapped and classified into 1386 regional ecosystems across the state, and are the subject of ecological research, condition assessment and monitoring. Work at the Herbarium contributes to the better management of Queensland's natural environment now and for future generations.

The Herbarium collections are internationally recognised under Index Herbariorum as BRI. The Queensland Herbarium is a CITES registered institution.

Website

https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/plants/herbarium/

Organisation type

• Queensland Government – Agency

Number of research staff

20-100 research staff

Address

Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha, Toowong QLD 4066

Strengths and capabilities

• Documenting Queensland’s flora
• Surveying, mapping and monitoring ecosystems
• Documenting and describing newly discovered plant species
• Preventing and managing the spread of weeds and diseases
• Protecting, monitoring and recovering native flora and vegetation
• Preparing recovery/conservation plans
• Scientific assessment of threatened /endangered species and ecosystems

Facilities and major equipment

• plant specimen collection of more than 850,000 specimens

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

• Biotechnology
• Environment and nature