Illustrated Investigation of Plant Names and Realities

Volume 4: Vegetables

Tribute Vegetable

original: 恭菜, gōngcài. This is a traditional Chinese name for Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla), a member of the beet family. In different regions of China, it is also known as "Respectful Vegetable" or "Thick-skinned Vegetable."

Tribute Vegetable

One

Vegetables, Volume 4

The accompanying woodcut illustration depicts a robust, leafy plant with thick, prominent veins and a clustered base, characteristic of the Swiss Chard variety. The artist has carefully rendered the texture of the broad leaves and the fibrous nature of the root system to aid in identification.

Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao Illustrated Investigation of Plant Names and Realities
Gong cai Tribute Vegetable; Swiss Chard
Shulei Vegetable category
Wu Qijun The author (1789–1847), a Qing Dynasty scholar and official known for his meticulous botanical research