杞

Botanical: The medlar tree or wolfberry (//Lycium chinense//). Geopolitical: The State of Qi (杞國), a small feudal state.

Must be strictly distinguished from the powerful eastern state of Qi (齊). While some sources list "willow," this is atypical; if context strongly suggests willow, consider whether it is a scribal error for 柳.

Determine first if the register is botanical or geopolitical. If neither fits, check for an allusion to //qǐ yōu// (杞憂), referring to groundless or neurotic fear.