The Mauritius Herbarium
About This Museum
Tucked away on the grounds of an agricultural research institute, the Mauritius Herbarium is a quiet sanctuary for the island's most fragile residents: its plants. Within its unassuming walls lies a library of pressed greenery, a collection of over 100,000 specimens that tells the story of Mauritius long before human arrival. You can find delicate, papery examples of the iconic Trochetia boutoniana, the national flower, resting alongside specimens collected by explorers centuries ago. It’s less a traditional museum and more a vital scientific archive, where each dried leaf holds a chapter of ecological history.
Collection Highlights
The prized collections include historic specimens from the late 19th century and type specimens used to officially define plant species; look for the rare Mandrinette hibiscus and other endemic survivors.
Visitor Information
It's located within the MSIRI compound in Reduit, so it's best to contact them in advance for visiting hours as it operates like a working research facility.
Architecture & Building
Housed in the practical, no-frills RE Vaughan Building, its architecture is purely functional—a simple, cream-colored block that prioritizes preserving its precious contents over aesthetic grandeur.
Contact & Location
Address: Seterbakken, Balsfjord, Troms, 9055, Norge
Website: Visit Website
