An Explanation of the Name of Baibu ()

Abstract

The character Bu () of Baibu (), pronounced as BANG (), referred to root of a plant. The original BAND () should be the character Bu (), which had the same meaning with BANG (), ie., root of a plant. Baibu () was actually Baibu (), based on plant features of numerous and clustered roots. The root shape of plant Baibu and Tian Men Dong (, a plant which has the same name with Baibu but looks different) look very similar with the character pattern Bu () in Jia Gu Wen (Chinese character inscription on bones or tortoise shells in the Shang and Zhou Dynasty). The alias of Baibu, Pofucao (), and Baibing () attached to Baibu () in Compendiu of Material Medica (Ben Cao Gang Mu), might be the change of pronunciation phonetically. The Mu () in Beimu () and Zhimu (), the Fu () in Beifu () and the Mo () in Suanmo (), are all the change of pronunciation phonetically, meaning roots of plants.