A Herbarium is a collection of preserved dried plant samples, well documented, mounted, labelled and systematically classified for use in scientific study.

The National Herbarium was developed through the Forest Planning Management Project in 1996. It holds approximately 18,000 specimens. This collection provides an excellent coverage of the Belizean Flora. It contains 155 Families, 1,219 Genera, and 3,049 Species of plants.

It also contains 84 type specimens collected by William A. Schipp between 1929-1935. These include 2 Holotype specimens and 82 Isotype specimens.

Mr. Hector Mai of the Forest Department oversees the management and upkeep of the herbarium. The National Herbarium is use primarily in plant identification and it also vital in providing assistance in research to students and as well the public.