The Norton-Brown Herbarium is the largest and most representative collection of Maryland plants. With specimens dating from the 1820s to the present day, the collection documents the changes in Maryland’s flora from our rural, agricultural past to our urban and suburban present. The herbarium plays an essential role in detecting, identifying and documenting the distribution and abundance of plant species as they change in response to land use and climate.
Through research, education, and translating research to policy and management we help to fulfill University of Maryland’s Land Grant mission. By supporting the Norton-Brown Herbarium, you are contributing to our expertise in Maryland’s rare plants, invasive plants, and aquatic plants. You also contribute to the conservation of the botanical diversity that is so important in maintaining water quality in rivers, lakes, and the Chesapeake Bay for generations to come.