UBD Herbarium
About the Herbarium
A National Repository of Plant Diversity
Brunei Darussalam is exceptionally rich in plant biodiversity, with current estimates ranging between 4,500 and 6,000 species. However, the exact number remains uncertain, as some areas of the country have yet to be explored by botanists.
To better understand this biodiversity, including species distribution and the identification of rare or threatened plants, researchers and students from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) have conducted extensive fieldwork across the nation.
The Universiti Brunei Darussalam Herbarium (UBDH) was established by the Faculty of Science to preserve and document these valuable plant collections. It is an officially recognized herbarium listed in the Index Herbariorum of the New York Botanical Garden.
Collection Highlights
Explore Brunei’s Plant Diversity Online
The herbarium houses over 14,000 specimens, collected from across Brunei since 1985, representing a rich and diverse range of plant life. These collections are carefully documented and contribute significantly to the understanding of the country’s botanical diversity.
In addition, the herbarium includes more than 3,000 species, scientifically organized and classified at the family level to support research, education, and academic study. This structured system allows students, researchers, and scientists to easily explore and analyze plant data.
The collection also features fossils and special collections, including fossilized plants dating back 2 to 5 million years. Alongside these are unique collections of fungi and marine algae, further enhancing the herbarium’s role as a valuable scientific and educational resource.
Digitalization
Explore Brunei’s Plant Diversity Online
Although the herbarium is not yet open to the public due to limited exhibition space, access is available through the official online platform.
The digital herbarium allows users, including students, researchers, and the general public, to search plant collections using keywords, locations, or mukim names.
Each entry provides detailed information, including plant descriptions, collection locations, and high-quality images that can be enlarged for closer observation.
Management & Location
Dedicated Expertise in Botanical Research
Prof. Ferry Slik
Curator
Jocelyn Wong
Research Assistant
