Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) Bian Kangxi strokes: 20 Page 1064, Entry 04 Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced bian. Name of a legume. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao gangmu): Li Shizhen said: The original form of bian was bian, because the shape of the pod is flat.