species of water plant, flower
菶 centers on a type of water plant and its flower. The meanings are specific to a plant species rather than a broad conceptual idea.
菶 combines the grass radical 艹 with 奉, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the structure suggests a plant name.
The grass top 艹 over 奉 suggests a plant that is offered or presented, like a water plant with a flower held up for display.
For ホウ, imagine a water plant with a flower shaped like a hoe: hoe -> ホウ, and the plant's bloom resembles the tool.
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