Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) Kangxi Strokes: 11 Page 1023, Entry 02 Pronounced mu. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao): Alfalfa (muxu), also known as muxu, suggests that its perennial roots grow on their own and can be used to feed cattle and horses. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Dayuan: Horses enjoy eating alfalfa; the Han dynasty envoys brought its seeds back, so the emperor began planting it on fertile land. Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital (Xijing Zaji): Alfalfa is also known as huaifeng (embracing the wind). People of that time called it guangfeng (bright wind), and the people of Maoling called it lianzhicao (connected-branch grass). Records of Remarkable Things (Shuyiji): The alfalfa brought back by Zhang Qian can still be found in the Luoyang area today. Poetry of Han Yu: Grapes and alfalfa were brought over from the great desert. Book of Han (Hanshu): Written in the variant form musu. Additionally, Guangya records that shuimu is the same as xing (a type of aquatic vegetable).