白茅 (báimáo): cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)

Meanings

1 cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)
2 thatch grass

Characters

白

Examples

古人用白茅盖屋顶。

Gǔrén yòng báimáo gài wūdǐng.

Ancient people used cogongrass to cover roofs.

白茅根可以入药。

Báimáogēn kěyǐ rùyào.

The roots of cogongrass can be used as medicine.

Tips

culture

Appears repeatedly in 《诗经》 (Shījīng, the Book of Songs) — wrapping gifts and offerings in white-茅 was a sign of careful, respectful presentation. The roots (白茅根 báimáogēn) are still used in traditional Chinese medicine to clear heat.