Oxford University Herbaria and Xylarium

Established in 1621, Oxford University Herbaria includes the oldest herbarium in the United Kingdom and is the fourth oldest herbarium in the world. Collectively, the herbaria hold approximately 1,000,000 botanical specimens (including at least 35,000 types) from across all taxonomic groups and geographic regions.

As well as being home to specimens, books, manuscripts and illustrations of historical importance, the herbaria host modern research programmes investigating plant systematics, together with theoretical and empirical work on systematic methods, phylogenetics and macroevolution. The herbaria are also at the forefront of developing and implementing methods to capture and document botanical data, as well as analysing patterns of global plant diversity.