Founded in 1893, the Botanical Society of America (BSA) is a "not-for-profit" 501 (c) (3) membership society whose mission is to: promote botany, the field of basic science dealing with the study and inquiry into the form, function, development, diversity, reproduction, evolution, and uses of plants and their interactions within the biosphere. To accomplish this mission, the objectives of The Society are to: sustain and provide improved formal and informal education about plants; encourage basic plant research; provide expertise, direction, and position statements concerning plants and ecosystems; and foster communication within the professional botanical community, and between botanists and the rest of humankind through publications, meetings, and committees.

The breadth of interests of BSA members are reflected in the 15 special interest sections of the Society with which all members have the opportunity to become affiliated. These special interest sections are the Bryological and Lichenological, Developmental and Structural, Ecological, Economic, Genetic, Historical, Microbiological, Paleobotanical, Phycological, Physiological, Phytochemical, Pteridological, Systematic, Teaching and Tropical Biology Sections. There are also four geographic sections (Northeastern, Midcontinent, Southeastern and Pacific).

The Botanical Society of America encompasses all areas of plant biology, including development, physiology, reproductive biology, evolution, phycology, genetics, mycology, ecology, systematics, molecular biology, and paleobotany. The BSA is one of the world's largest societies devoted to the study of plants and allied organisms, and functions as an umbrella organization covering all specialties. Since the strength of the botanical profession and its effective voice in world science today is dependent on the combined support of all taxonomic and disciplinary interest groups, all specialists are strongly encouraged to join and become active in the Botanical Society of America.