The collection is primarily associated with research on the flora of KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern seaboard of South Africa. The flora of the Drakensberg Alpine Region and the Natal Midlands is well documented in the herbarium. Furthermore, several families have been the focus of research for many years and are also particularly well represented. These include Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae, Gesneriaceae, Orchidaceae, Poaceae, and ferns. In addition, NU has a substantial collection of South African marine macroalgae, as well as of alien invasive and weedy plants.
Major collectors : K. Balkwill, M-J. Balkwill, L.R. Bauer, A.J.W. Bayer, F. Bayer, J.S. Beard, J.W. Bews, J.M. Browning, B.L. Burtt, B. Bytebier, N.C. Chase, D. Edwards, T.J. Edwards, B.S. Fisher, E.E. Galpin, J. Gerstner, K.D. Gordon-Gray, J.S. Henkel, O.M. Hilliard (also collected as O.M. Hillary), B.J. Huntley, K.D. Gordon-Gray (also collected as K.D. Huntley), D.J.B. Killick, E. Moll, E.S. Pooley, E.A. Robinson, J.H. Ross, E.A.C.L.E. Schelpe, H.G.W.J. Schweickert, T.R. Sim, C.H. Stirton, R.G. Strey, W.R. Trauseld, L.D.E.F. Vesey-Fitzgerald, C.J. Ward, J.M. Wood, F.B. Wright.
The herbarium also houses the medicinal plant collections made by Fr. F. Mayr and A.B. Cunningham, as well as voucher specimens from recent ethno-and economic botanical investigations.