In the early 19th century, the creation of the Botanical Museum of Kazan University began, based on a herbarium collected from various corners of the world. In the 20th century, after the reorganization of university museums in 1991, part of the collections was separated from the Department of Botany and included in the zoological museum as a botanical section. Since 1997, these collections have become part of the funds of the Botanical Museum based at the Department of Botany, now part of the Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology of Kazan University.

Herbariums have immense significance as historical archives and collections of systematic standards, which are indispensable in genetics, systematics, floristics, and ecology. Therefore, the collection of the Botanical Museum is important not only for the university but for the entire botanical community of Russia. Many scientists from different parts of the country come to the museum to study its materials. Over time, the value of the samples only increases, as they become irreplaceable due to loss of location, illegible labels in field conditions, or changes in ecology. The museum regularly conducts inventory and replenishment of collections. It also organizes excursions for students and schoolchildren in Kazan. However, currently, there is no exhibition in the museum, and information about the collection can only be obtained from the museum staff.

Based on the materials of the herbarium, identifiers of lichens, leafy mosses, and vascular plants growing in the Republic of Tatarstan have been published. The herbarium collections are also used in the compilation of the 'Red Book of the Republic of Tatarstan.'