菰 (gū) - Wild rice (Zizania latifolia) & an aquatic grass whose stems are edible when

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菰 · gū

Wild rice (Zizania latifolia);

an aquatic grass whose stems are edible when infected with a fungus;

also refers to the plant itself.

Wild rice (Zizania latifolia)an aquatic grass whose stems are edible whenalso refers to the plant itself.

Usage highlights

Wild rice stemWild rice grainWild rice plantWild rice fieldPickled wild riceWild rice porridge

Synonyms

  • 茭白— Edible stem of wild rice plant
  • 茭笋— Alternative name for wild rice stem

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The stem of wild rice is edible (菰米).
  • Wild rice grows in marshes and ponds (菰草).
  • The plant produces edible grains (菰米饭).
  • It is also known as Manchurian wild rice (茭白).

Collocations

  • Wild rice stem(菰笋)
  • Wild rice grain(菰米)
  • Wild rice plant(菰草)
  • Wild rice field(菰田)
  • Pickled wild rice(腌菰)
  • Wild rice porridge(菰米粥)

Idioms

  • To pick wild rice and cut reeds(采菰刈苇)
  • Living on wild rice and water chestnuts(菰茭为食)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Wild rice (菰) has been consumed in China since ancient times, mentioned in classical texts.
  • The swollen stem caused by fungal infection (known as 茭白 or 菰笋) is a popular vegetable.
  • Historically, its grains (菰米) were an important food source before being largely replaced by rice.

FAQ