stalk, stem
茎 centers on the main supporting axis of a plant: the stalk or stem that holds up leaves, flowers, or fruit.
茎 combines 艹 (plant) with 圣, which likely contributes the sound and relates to the idea of a vertical stalk or stem.
The top 艹 is a plant, and the lower part 圣 looks like a straight vertical stalk with a crossbar. Picture a plant with a strong central stem.
For ケイ, imagine a stalk shaped like the letter K: K -> ケイ, and the plant stem stands tall like a K.
stalk; stem
phimosis
penis
gums; gingiva
scape
rhizome; rootstalk; rootstock
underground stem
tuber
stems and leaves
clitoral phimosis
one stem
false phimosis; false foreskin; pseudophimosis
pseudobulb
pseudobulb
phimosiectomy; circumcision (for phimosis)
stolon; runner; creeper
fellatio; irrumation
epigeal stem; (normal) plant stem which is above the ground
having food on the table is more important than having a high social standing; taro stems over family status
firing pin