vasculum

[ vas-kyuh-luhm ]

noun

, plural vas·cu·la [vas, -ky, uh, -l, uh], vas·cu·lums.

1. a kind of case or box used by botanists for carrying specimens as they are collected.

vasculum

/ ˈvæskjʊləm /

noun

1. a metal box used by botanists in the field for carrying botanical specimens

Word History and Origins

Origin of vasculum¹

First recorded in 1825–35, vasculum is from the Latin word vāsculum little vessel. See vas, -cule ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vasculum¹

C19: from Latin: little vessel, from vas

Example Sentences

Other essential tools were the vasculum, a metal tube lined with moss and slung over the shoulder used to transport orchids from the field, and a plant press — a wooden frame holding stacks of newspapers and glass panes for flattening and drying study specimens.

From New York Times

The collector will find it advisable to take with him on his longer jaunts a larger tin collecting box as well as the smaller boxes, and for this purpose nothing is better than a good botanist's collecting can or vasculum.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course I’m very sorry about poor old Arthur, though after all perhaps he’ll turn up all right, with his vasculum full of new orchids.

From Project Gutenberg

His umbrella—a very shabby, baggy gingham—was closed and stuffed with botanical treasures; and his vasculum, slung beneath one arm, was so gorged with herbs and flowers of the field that it would not close.

From Project Gutenberg

If the word is of Romanic origin it is probably a metathesized form of the Lat. vasculum, diminutive of vas, vessel.

From Project Gutenberg