荼 tou⁴ {tú}

1. thistle
2. common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus)
3. bitter (taste)
4. cruel
5. flowering grass in profusion

荼蘼 tou⁴ mei⁴ {tú mí}

Rubus rosifolius

荼毒 tou⁴ duk⁶ {tú dú}

1. torment
2. cruelty
3. great suffering

荼毒生靈〔---灵〕 tou⁴ duk⁶ sang¹ ling⁴ {tú dú shēng líng}

to torment the people (idiom)