Herbarium
Preserving and documenting over 225 native and wild plant species
from the region for education, research, and biodiversity conservation.
Introduction to the Herbarium
A Region Rich in Botanical Diversity
Located within the Eastern Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, Palestine hosts one of the region’s richest and most diverse native plant ecosystems.
Preserving a Threatened Natural Heritage
Wild plants have long been humanity’s primary source of food and medicine, and Palestine stands as one of the world’s key centers of plant domestication. Today, as interest in natural lifestyles and medicinal plants continues to grow, the need to document, preserve, and protect this botanical heritage has never been greater.
A Scientific Archive for Research and Conservation
The An-Najah National University Herbarium was established to preserve and document the region’s botanical diversity while supporting education, research, and conservation initiatives.
The collection includes systematically classified, pressed, dried, labeled, and catalogued wild plant specimens, each assigned a unique herbarium voucher number.
Alongside the physical archive, a growing digital photographic database documents plant species within their natural habitats, capturing their ecological and geographical characteristics.
Explore the collection below and discover a living archive of the region’s botanical heritage.
In Numbers: A Living Botanical Archive
A growing scientific collection documenting the botanical diversity of the region
Continuously expanding through field documentation, preservation, and scientific cataloguing efforts
Collection Highlights
Preserving regional plant diversity through scientific documentation, research, and conservation.
Documented Plant Species
Botanical Families Represented
Botanical Families Catalogued
Native Flora
Documenting native and wild plant species that reflect the ecological richness and biodiversity of the region.
Medicinal Plants
Preserving medicinal plant specimens that represent traditional botanical knowledge and natural healing practices.
Taxonomy & Classification
Specimens are scientifically identified, classified, labeled, and catalogued according to botanical standards.
Digital Archive
A growing digital photographic archive documents plant species within their natural habitats and ecosystems.
Research & Learning
The herbarium supports biodiversity research, taxonomy studies, environmental education, and academic training.
Conservation Efforts
Preservation and documentation efforts contribute to protecting botanical heritage for future generations.
Exploring the Herbarium Archive
Browse documented plant families and discover preserved species within the herbarium collection.
Families are organized according to the number of documented species represented within the archive.
Leguminosae (Fabaceae)
50 Documented Species
One of the largest flowering plant families represented within the herbarium archive, including ecologically and medicinally important species distributed across Mediterranean ecosystems.
Astragalus asterias Hohen
Astragalus spinosus (Forssk.) Muschl
Cicer pinnatifidum Boiss.
Hippocrepis unisiliquosa L.
Lathyrus blepharicarpus Boiss.
Lotus halophilus Boiss.
Lotus peregrinus L.
Medicago laciniata (L) Mill
Medicago rotata Boiss.
Ononis spinosa L.
Scorpiurus muricatus L.
Trifolium argutum Banks et Sol
Trifolium clusii Godr. & Gren.
Trifolium purperum Loisel.
Trifolium stellatum L.
Vicia hybrida L.
Vicia peregrina L.
Vicia sericocarpa Fenzl
Astragalus callichrous Boiss.
Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) C.H. Stirt
Coronilla scorpioides (L.) Koch
Hymenocarpos circinnatus (L.) Savi
Lathyrus hierosolymitanus Boiss.
Lotus halophilus Boiss
lupinus pilosus L.
Medicago orbicularis (L.) Bart
Onobrychis crista-galli (L.) Lam
Pisum fulvum Sm.
Senna italica Mill.
Trifolium calypeatum L.
Trifolium dasyurum C. Presl.
Trigonella caelesyriaca Boiss.
Vicia narbonensis L.
Astragalus palaestinus Eig
Calycotome villosa (Poir.) Link
Gonocytisus pterocladus (Boiss.) Spach
Lathyrus aphaca L.
Lathyrus pseudocicera Pamp.
Lotus longisiliquosus R. Roem
Medicago coronata (L.) Bart
Medicago polymorpha L.
Ononis pubescens L.
Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb
Tetragonolobus palaestinus Boiss.& Blanche
Trifolium cherleri L.
Trifolium pilulare Boiss.
Trifolium scabrum L.
Trifolium tomentosum L.
Vicia palaestina Boiss.
Vicia sativa L.
Asteraceae (Compositae)
24 Documented Species
A diverse family of legumes and flowering plants that contribute significantly to ecological balance, soil enrichment, and regional biodiversity.
Aaronsohnia factorovskyi Warb. & Eig
Calendula tripterocarpa Rupr.
Cichorium endivia L.
-Filago desertorum Pomel
Gymnarrhena micrantha Desf.
Picris amalecitana (Boiss.) Eig
Pulicaria sicula (L.) Moris
Scorzonera papposa DC.
anthemis palestina Boiss.
Centaurea crocodylium L.
Crupina intermedia (Mutel) Walp.
Geropogon hybridus (L.) Sch. Bip.
Koelpinia linearis Pall.
Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC
Reichardia tingitana (L.) Roth
Tripleurospermum auriculatum (Boiss.) Rech.f
Asteriscus hierochunticus (Michon) Wiklund
Centaurea hyalolepis Boiss.
Echinops adenocaulos Boiss.
Gundelia tournefortii L.
Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook.f.
Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC
Rhagadiolus stellatus (L.) Gaertn.
Urospermum picroides (L.) F.W.Schmidt
Labiatae (Lamiaceae)
23 Documented Species
Aromatic and medicinal plant species widely recognized for their ecological, cultural, and traditional medicinal importance.
Micromeria nervosa Desf.
Eremostachys laciniata (L.) Bunge
Mentha longifolia L
Nepeta curviflora Boiss.
Salvia fruticosa Mill.
Satureja thymbra L.
Sideritis pullulans Vent.
Thymbra spicata L.
Ballota undulata (Sieber ex Fresen.) Benth.
Lamium moschatum Mill.
Moluccella laevis L.
Phlomis viscosa Poir.
Salvia hierosolymitana Boiss.
Salvia verbenaca L.
Sideritis perfoliata L.
Teucrium capitatum L.
Calamintha incana (Sm.) Heldr.
Majorana syriaca (L.) Kostel.
Moluccella spinosa L.
Salvia dominica L.
Salvia judaica Boiss.
Salvia viridis L.
Teucrium divaricatum Heldr.
Family: Boraginaceae
Anchusa aegyptiaca (L.) DC.
Anchusa aegyptiaca (L.) DC.
Arnebia decumbens (Vent.) Cross. & Kralik
Cynoglossum creticum Mill.
Echium judaeum Lacaita
Heliotropium bovi Boiss
Heliotropium maris-mortui Zohary
Onosma aleppica Boiss.
Family: Cruciferae (Brassicaceae)
Biscutella didyma L
Carrichtera annua (L.) DC.
Eruca sativa Mill.
Erucaria rostrata (Boiss.) Greuter & Burdet
Maresia pygmaea (Delile) O.E.Schulz
Matthiola livida (Delile) DC.
Matthiola parviflora (Schousb.) R.Br.
Nasturtium officinale R. Br.
Sisymbrium irio L.
Family: Orchidaceae
Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) L.C.M. Richard
Ophrys apifera Huds.
Ophrys holosericea (Burm. f.) Greuter
Ophrys lutea Cav.
Ophrys sphegodes Mill.
Orchis papilionacea Pink Butterfly Orchid
Orchis sancta L.
Orchis tridentata Scop.
Serapias vomeracea H.Baumann & Kuenkele
Family: Cruciferae (Brassicaceae)
Biscutella didyma L
Carrichtera annua (L.) DC.
Eruca sativa Mill.
Erucaria rostrata (Boiss.) Greuter & Burdet
Maresia pygmaea (Delile) O.E.Schulz
Matthiola livida (Delile) DC.
Matthiola parviflora (Schousb.) R.Br.
Nasturtium officinale R. Br.
Sisymbrium irio L.
Family: Graminaeae (Poaceae)
Avena longiglumis Durieu
Bromus rubens L.
Hordeum spontaneum K.Koch
Lamarckia aurea (L.) Moench
Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link
Pennisetum divisum (J.F.Gmel.) Henrard
Schismus arabicus Nees
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Dianthus judaicus Boiss.
Dianthus tripunctatus Sibth. et Sm
Paronychia argentea Lam.
Paronychia sinaica Fresen.
Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L.
Pteranthus dichotomus Forssk.
Silene colorata Poir.
Spergula fallax (Lowe) E.H.L.Krause
Family: Ranunculaceae
Adonis dentata Delile
Adonis dentata L.
Consolida hispanica ( Costa) Greuter & Burdet
Delphinium ithaburense Boiss.
Delphinium peregrinum L.
Ranunculus scandicinus (Boiss.) P.H.Davis
Family: Solanaceae
Hyoscyamus aureus L.
Mandragora autumnalis Bertol.
Nicotiana glauca Graham
Solanum incanum L.
Solanum nigrum L.
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
Family: Liliaceae
Allium hierochuntinum Boiss
Androcymbium palaestinum Baker
Asparagus aphyllus L
Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav
Bellevalia desertorum Eig & Feinbrun
Gagea reticulata (Pall.) Schult. & Schult.f.
Family: Alliaceae
Allium ampeloprasum L
Allium neapolitanum L
Allium trifoliatum Cirillo
Hyacinthella nervosa (Bertol.) Chouard
Leopoldia eburnea Eig & Feinbrun
Scilla hyacinthoides L
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Kickxia aegyptiaca (L.) Nabelek
Scrophularia rubricaulis Boiss
Verbascum fruticulosum Post
Verbascum sinuatum L
Veronica anagallis-aquatica L
Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Artedia squamata L
Chaetosciadium trichospermum (L.) Boiss
Eryngium creticum Lam
Tordylium trachycarpum (Boiss.) Al-Eisawi & Jury
Family: Dipsacaceae
Cephalaria joppensis (Rchb.) Coult
Pterocephalus brevis Coult
Scabiosa prolifera L
Cephalaria joppensis (Rchb.) Coult
Family: Polygonaceae
Polygonum arenarium Waldst. & Kit
Rumex cyprius Murb
Rumex pulcher L
Family: Poaceae
Avena longiglumis Durieu
Bromus rubens L
Phalaris minor Retz
Family: Convolvulaceae
Convolvulus siculus L
Cuscuta gennesaretana Sroelov
Cuscuta gennesaretana in Feinbr
Family: Plantaginaceae
Plantago afra L
Plantago cretica L
Plantago crypsoides Boiss
Family: Linaceae
Linum mucronatum Bertol
Linum pubescens Banks & Sol
Family: Primulaceae
Anagallis arvensis L
Cyclamen persicum Mill
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Fritillaria persica L
Narcissus tazetta L
Family: Cistaceae
Cistus creticus L
Helianthemum salicifolium (L.) Mill
Family: Acanthaceae
Acanthus syriacus Boiss
Blepharis attenuata Napper
Family: Aizoaceae
Aizoon hispanicum L
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L
Family: Geraniaceae
Erodium laciniatum (Cav.) Willd
Erodium telavivense Eig
Family: Zygophyllaceae
Fagonia mollis var. mollis Del
Zygophyllum dumosum Boiss
Family: Campanulaceae
CalCampanula strigosa Banks & Sol.
Family: Capparaceae
Capparis spinosa L
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Agathophora alopecuroides (Delile)
Family: Crassulaceae
Sedum hispanicum L
Family: Epherdraceae
Ephedra ciliata Fisch. & C.A.Mey
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Ricinus communis L
Family: Malvaceae
Malva neglecta Wallr
Family: Mimosaceae
Acacia pachyceras O. Schwartz
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Commicarpus plumbagineus (Cav.)
Family: Orobanchaceae
Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) Wight
Family: Oxalidaceae
Oxalis pes-caprae L.
Family: Papaveraceae
Hypecoum dimidiatum Delile
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Limonium lobatum (L.f.) Chaz
Family: Verbenaceae
Vitex agnus-castus L
Family: Resedaceae
Ochradenus baccatus Delile
Family:Rosaceae
Sanguisorba minor Scop.
Family: Rubiaceae
Valantia hispida L
Family:Urticaceae
Urtica pilulifera L.
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Calotropis procera (Aiton) Aiton f
Preservation & Documentation Process
Each specimen within the herbarium undergoes a systematic scientific process of collection, preservation, classification, and documentation.
Field Collection
Plant specimens are carefully collected from natural habitats and ecological sites across the region.
Species Identification
Specimens are scientifically identified and verified according to botanical classification standards.
Pressing & Drying
Collected plants are pressed and dried using preservation techniques that maintain specimen quality and structure.
Scientific Classification
Each specimen is classified, labeled, and assigned according to taxonomic and herbarium documentation standards.
Archiving & Cataloguing
Preserved specimens are catalogued within the herbarium archive and organized by botanical families and species.
Digital Documentation
Photographic records and specimen data are digitally documented to support research, education, and biodiversity preservation.
Research & Educational Applications
Supporting Research & Learning
The herbarium serves as a scientific and educational resource that supports biodiversity research, environmental learning, and botanical studies.
Preserving Botanical Heritage for Future Generations
The herbarium contributes to biodiversity conservation, environmental awareness, and the preservation of the region’s botanical heritage.
Biodiversity Conservation
The herbarium supports the long-term preservation and documentation of regional plant diversity and threatened flora.
Environmental Awareness
The collection promotes environmental education and strengthens public awareness of ecological sustainability and plant conservation.
Cultural & Botanical Heritage
Documented specimens preserve traditional botanical knowledge and reflect the ecological identity of the region.
Future Scientific Resource
The archive serves as a lasting scientific resource for future generations of researchers, students, and conservation initiatives.
“Preserving plant diversity today helps safeguard ecological knowledge for future generations.”
Come See It for Yourself
The best way to understand Palestine’s flora is to walk among it.
Join a guided eco-trail at Sahl Sumit or Al-Nassariya Farm and experience the region’s living botanical heritage firsthand.
Who Can Join? — Schools, universities, families, and researchers
Where? — Sahl Sumit & Al-Nassariya Farm, Nablus
Best Time? — Spring and Autumn, ideal seasons for wildflower blooming and outdoor visits
Every pressed leaf is a story, every dried flower is a promise to remember
Palestine’s wild plants are disappearing faster than they are being documented. The An-Najah National University Herbarium exists to ensure that no species is lost without a record — preserving Palestine’s botanical identity for researchers, students, and future generations.