Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) Ben Kangxi strokes: 11 Page 1024, Entry 09 Pronounced ben (rising tone) The Jade Chapter (Yupian) states: Ben means grass growing in thickets. History of Jin (Jinshu), Biography of Wei Heng: The grain and plants grew in thickets and drooped their ears. See detailed character note.