The Central Botanical Laboratory was established on April 13, 1954, to conduct research on various disciplines in Botany.

Cytology, Economic Botany and Plant Physiology are the three major sections of the laboratory. Chromosome survey of the Indian flora is a major programme of the Cytology section while the Economic Botany section is engaged in the study and evaluation of less known economic/medicinal plants and plants in the use of tribals
(Ethnobotany).Studies on dormancy, viability and germination behaviour of seeds of economically important plants, rare and endangered plant species are being carried out in Physiology section.

Established	13th April, 1954 at Indian Museum, Kolkata; thereafter temporarily shifted to Allahabad and finally to Kolkata in 1962.
Accessioned specimens
(i) Herbarium specimens	6000
(ii ) Museum exhibits	5500
Main programmes	i) Chromosome Atlas
	ii) Biosystematic studies
	iii) Ethnobotany
	iv) Seed storage, viability and germination