An Analysis of “Kui” and “Xiangrikui” (Sun Flower) and Their Difference

In pre-Qing period, there were various kinds of vegetables, such as Kui, Huo, Xie, Cong and Jiu.Among of them, “kui”is taken for granted as “sun flower”in some contemporary documents due to its nature of“moving toward the Sun”.Through textual research, “kui”which was used by poets to express their patriotism and pursuit for the light and dream should be kuicai, i.e.Chinese mallow, instead of sun flower.