Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) Xia Kangxi Stroke Count: 9 Page 1018, Entry 18 Pronounced hu (falling tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters): It is the rehmannia plant. Erya, Explanation of Plants (Erya, Shicao): Xia is rehmannia. Annotation: Another name for xia is earth marrow. Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), citing the Extended Explanation of the Erya (Erya Yi): When rehmannia is harvested, it is tested in water. Those that float are called sky-yellow; those that are half-sunken and half-floating are called man-yellow; those that sink are called earth-yellow. The character for xia is formed from the character for below, signifying its tendency to sink downward. Also, Book of Rites, Record of Manners (Liji, Xianzhuan): Trim the xia and do not tuck it in. Commentary: Xia refers to rush or water-weed used to make mats; the ends are trimmed, and they are not woven or tucked inward, but hidden within. Also pronounced xia (falling tone). The meaning is the same. Rhyme Collection (Yunhui): Also written in a variant form (lu).