Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) 薻 Kangxi Stroke Count: 20 Page 1063, Entry 10 Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun): The original form of the character for algae (zǎo). Explication of Written Characters (Shuowen Jiezi): The character is formed with the water radical, using nest (cháo) as the phonetic component. Five Classics Script (Wujing Wenzi): The character for algae (zǎo) and this character are the same.