Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) Ling Kangxi stroke count: 17 Page 1053, Entry 19 Pronounced ling. As defined in the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it is water caltrop. In the Progressive Glossary (Erya), entry on grasses, it is identified as ling jue wen. The commentary notes that this refers to what is commonly called ling jiao. Lu Dian in his commentary on the Book of Odes (Shijing) cites the Records of Wuling (Wulingji) as stating that varieties with four or three corners are called ji, while those with two corners are called ling. It is also written as ling. According to the Record of Penetrating the Darkness (Dongmingji), the Spirit Pond contains floating-root water caltrop, where the roots emerge above the water and the leaves submerge beneath the waves; it is also known as green ice water caltrop. Also the name of a lake. In the commentary to the Basic Annals of Xia in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), it is noted that Ling Lake is one of the Five Lakes. It is also written as a variant form.