Palestine is located in the Eastern Mediterranean region of West Asia and has one of the most complicated ecosystems in the world. It has a high floristic biodiversity with a recognized number of native species. However, due to the small area of the region, the natural resources are limited and vulnerable to land misuse and human impact. Moreover, plant cover destruction and urban expansions have resulted in continuous deterioration of those natural resources. As a result, we are in an urgent need for the protection of natural resources in the Palestine from environmentally harmful developmental projects and programs.[/color]

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Wild plants have been the main source of food for humans, and provided the origin for the domestication of agricultural plants. Palestine was a key area of the domestication in the near east region. In recent times there has been additional interest in returning to natural lifestyles and using wild plants, because of the higher concentration of vital components and ingredients than in other major sources of cultivated plants. Therefore, will always be a need to return to the origin of wild plants in order to overcome obstacles facing their existence. Moreover, we should focus on the importance of medicinal plants which have been tested by local people for many generations. The An-Najah National University herbarium was constructed for these reasons.

The wild plant specimens in the herbarium will be available as scientific reference material for Palestinian researchers from local universities and other researchers from the region, and worldwide. These plant specimens will be classified, described, preserved by pressing till drying, labeled and deposited in the herbarium with a specific herbarium voucher number, until they are needed. The wild plants are photographed at their natural habitats and a database of photographs of the wild plants in their natural habitats with their classification, description, distribution and other related characters will be provided on the website of An-Najah National University.