Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao (Vol. 2)

Smooth-headed Barnyard Millet

The stems and leaves of the Smooth-headed Barnyard Millet original: "光頭稗子" (guāngtóu bàizi). The name refers to the lack of awns or bristles on the grain head. are entirely the same as those of wild rice original: "茭菰" (jiāogū), Zizania latifolia. While today this is often grown for its edible gall-infected stem, historically it was also recognized for its grass-like appearance.. It grows on dry land. The flower spikes emerge from within the leaves; they are flat, clean, and hairless, which is why it is given the name "Smooth-headed."

When cooked, it is fragrant and delicious. The variety known as water barnyard millet original: "水稗" (shuǐbài) resembles common rice and grows in flooded paddy fields. This is likely what the Huainanzi A 2nd-century BCE philosophical and encyclopedic text. refers to as the "Li" original: "離" (lí) plant, which matures earlier than the rice crop. Those that grow on dry, uncultivated land are known as "Ti" original: "稊" (tí), a term often used in classical literature to describe small, weed-like grasses or tares.. Could it be that this plant is indeed that very same variety?