Our veterinary botanical garden was established in 1997 and is centrally located on the Vetmeduni campus opposite the cafeteria building. It is a space for teaching, learning and recreation and a place where plant knowledge can be seen, grasped and communicated. Covering an area of 2,400 square metres, the garden contains medicinal and useful plants as well as poisonous plants - around 250 different plant species in total. The garden thus offers illustrative material for students and well-founded information for animal owners and at the same time makes the healing power and risks of plants tangible. At the same time, we cultivate protected species threatened with extinction and support reintroduction projects throughout Austria.

At the Vetmeduni, we develop scientifically sound phytotherapy for modern veterinary medicine. Herbal medicine is one of the oldest therapies and is used as an essential or primary treatment in human medicine by more than two thirds of people worldwide. It is also becoming increasingly important in veterinary medicine: Veterinarians are increasingly using phytotherapy as a supplement or replacement for standard therapy. In doing so, they are responding to the desire of many pet owners to provide their animals with natural treatment. When selected and dosed correctly, herbal remedies usually have fewer side effects, alleviate mild to moderate symptoms and support prevention and aftercare. In view of increasing resistance, phytotherapy can also be a useful supplement and reduce the use of antibiotics.

Help us grow knowledge! Support us today - for a lively place where nature, study and science work together. Your donation will strengthen our garden - from the procurement of rare medicinal plants and new beds to the creation of structurally rich habitats such as dry stone walls. In this way, you are helping to preserve plant diversity, impart evidence-based knowledge and promote animal health responsibly - THANK YOU!

The Botanical Garden of the Vetmeduni ...

... of the Department of Nutritional Physiology and Functional Plant Substances is a teaching and display garden specialising in veterinary botany. It was established in 1997 and is centrally located on the Vetmeduni campus opposite the cafeteria building.
The total area covers approx. 2,400 m², of which around 1,540 m² are planted. With around 250 plant species, the garden vividly demonstrates how closely botany, nutrition and medicine are linked and also serves as a quiet meeting place for students, staff and animal patients and their owners.

The aim of the garden is the practical presentation of plants related to veterinary medicine. The collections are organised according to their practical value and ingredients and form thematic areas, each of which is located in close proximity to suitable university facilities. The focus is on food plants, poisonous plants and medicinal and aromatic plants. They are complemented by edible plants, forage and food plants in a broader sense and a Mendel garden. The garden thus offers illustrative material for students and well-founded information for animal owners, while at the same time making the healing powers and risks of plants tangible. It strengthens the link between botany and the medical sciences and helps to prevent poisoning in humans and animals.

Behind the scenes, expert hands ensure diversity and vitality all year round. In autumn, seeds are harvested, dried and cleaned, young plants are grown in the greenhouses on campus over winter and spring and then planted out. During hot spells, the plants are watered by hand in the mornings and evenings. No sprays are used and the plants are fertilised exclusively with humus.
Special features include the evening primrose, which blossoms at dusk, the rare forest steppe wormwood, an impressive, hardy rosemary, a variety of thyme and sage species and the wonder tree.
The botanical garden is open to the public all year round and guided tours are available by appointment.