Bok choy (from the Cantonese, literally meaning "white vegetable"; also spelled "pak choi", "bok choi", and "pak choy"). In the UK and South Africa, the term "pak choi" is used. Less commonly, the descriptive English names "Chinese chard", "Chinese mustard", "celery mustard", and "spoon cabbage" are also employed. In Australia, the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries has redefined many transcribed names to refer to specific cultivars. In addition, they have introduced the word "buk choy" to refer to a specific kind of cabbage distinct from "pak choy". In China, the majority of Chinese speak Mandarin (about 955 million people), and
Fat choy Fat choy Fat choy (; "Nostoc flagelliforme") is a terrestrial cyanobacterium (a type of photosynthetic bacteria) that is used as a vegetable in Chinese cuisine. When dried, the product has the appearance of black hair. For that reason, its name in Chinese means "hair vegetable." When soaked, fat choy has a soft texture which is like very fine vermicelli. Fat choy grows on the ground in the Gobi Desert and the Qinghai Plateau. Over-harvesting on the Mongolian steppes has furthered erosion and desertification in those areas. The Chinese government has limited its harvesting, which has caused its price to increase.