臺北市政府文化局

Within the eight-hectare expanse of the Taipei Botanical Garden, a hidden treasure lies amidst the urban jungle: a century-old heritage building designated as a Taipei City historic site known as the Herbarium. Constructed in 1924 entirely of red brick, the Herbarium was designed for the preservation of pressed leaves, specimens prepared through drying. It is the oldest plant specimen repository in Taiwan.

As the former home to countless plant specimens, the Herbarium is considered the Mecca of Taiwanese botany. Inside, visitors can view tools used by botanists a century ago, rare and historically significant specimens, and illustrations showcasing the intricate process of specimen preparation.

Nearby, two monuments can be found nestled in greenery. Near the pond is a commemoration  honoring Hayata Bunzō, a Japanese botanist who dedicated his life to studying Taiwan’s flora. Of the 3,900 plant specimens collected during the Japanese colonial era, Hayata personally named over 1,700 species, including the genus Taiwania, with the single living species Taiwania cryptomerioides, the Herbarium’s most prized treasure. For his immense contributions, Hayata is celebrated as the “Father of Taiwanese Botany”.

Opposite, is a monument dedicated to Urbain Jean Faurie, a French priest who played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role. Faurie came to Taiwan twice, laying the foundation for plant taxonomy during his first stay and dedicating his life to botanical studies until his death during his second. His collection of over ten thousand specimens was generously handed over to Hayata, enabling the latter to elevate Taiwan’s botanical research to new heights.

Since its establishment in 1924, the Herbarium has attracted numerous botanists who have tirelessly collected and catalogued specimens which once numbered over 500,000. In 2000, as storage needs outgrew the facility, most of the collection was moved to the Forestry Research Institute, and the Herbarium transitioned from a research-focused space to a museum dedicated to public botanical education.