Shen Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Grass (cǎo)
Rao
Kangxi Strokes: 18
Page 1058, Entry 01
Pronounced rao.
According to the Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to fuel or firewood.
In the Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), year 13 of Duke Zhao, it refers to those who gather fodder and firewood. The commentary notes that this refers to grasses used for fuel.
Also, raohua is the name of a medicinal herb. The Materia Medica (Bencao) notes that the name rao implies abundance, as the flowers of this plant are numerous.
Also, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), pronounced rao. It is the name of a vegetable.
According to the Fine Definitions (Boya), fengrao is a type of wild turnip.
According to the Regional Speech (Fangyan) by Yang Xiong, in the regions of Chen and Chu it is called feng, while in the regions of Lu and Qi it is called rao.
Textual research: In the Zuo Tradition, year 13 of Duke Zhao, it refers to those who gather fodder and firewood. The original text comment states it is grass used for fuel. Per the original text, the commentary has been revised to reference the sub-commentary.