Lae Botanic Gardens
Morobe
Lae Botanic Gardens, located in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, spans 38 hectares of predominantly natural lowland rainforest featuring creeks and large buttressed trees densely covered with epiphytes and climbers. The gardens house greenhouses specializing in Orchidaceae and Araceae species, supporting a collection of approximately 1500 to 2000 plant species. Within the gardens' grounds lies the Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute, established with support from the Japanese government in 1989, which focuses on sustainable forest resource management research. The Papua New Guinea National Herbarium, founded in the 1940s and situated in the gardens, is the largest plant specimen collection in the country, boasting around 300,000 specimens including 2,335 type specimens and 100,000 spirit collections. This herbarium also contains significant collections from neighboring regions like Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and Tropical Australia, and ranks third largest in Southeast Asia. The gardens offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience one of the most important botanical and research centers in the region, blending natural beauty with scientific heritage.
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Tip: Visitors should plan their visit during the dry season to fully enjoy the natural rainforest environment. Advance inquiries about guided tours or research facility access are recommended. While entry is generally open, checking for any special events or restrictions in advance can enhance the experience. Discounts or special access may be available for students or researchers through the Forest Research Institute.
Interesting facts
- •The Papua New Guinea National Herbarium holds about 300,000 plant specimens, including 2,335 type specimens, making it the largest collection in Papua New Guinea.
- •The Forest Research Institute building within the gardens was a gift from the Government of Japan in 1989, symbolizing friendship and cooperation.
- •The herbarium's collections include significant contributions from notable botanists such as Leonard John Brass and Lyndley Craven.
- •The herbarium ranks third in size in Southeast Asia and includes specimens from neighboring regions like Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and Tropical Australia.
History
The Lae Botanic Gardens were established to conserve Papua New Guinea's rich plant biodiversity and support botanical research.
The National Herbarium was founded in the 1940s and has grown to become the largest plant specimen collection in the country.
In 1989, the Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute building was donated by the Japanese government, symbolizing international cooperation.
Over the decades, the gardens have developed into a vital center for both conservation and scientific study, incorporating digitization and databasing of plant collections in recent years.
Place Guide
Natural Lowland Rainforest Area
This area of the gardens features dense natural rainforest with large buttressed trees covered in epiphytes and climbers, offering visitors an immersive experience in Papua New Guinea's native flora.
Greenhouses for Orchidaceae and Araceae Collections
Specialized greenhouses house rare and delicate orchid and aroid species, showcasing the diversity of these plant families in Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute1989
Located within the gardens, this institute conducts research on sustainable forest management and resource utilization, playing a crucial role in Papua New Guinea's forestry science.
Papua New Guinea National Herbarium1940s
Established in the 1940s, the herbarium holds about 300,000 plant specimens and is the largest in the country, including extensive collections from neighboring regions and important botanical contributors.
