Houttuynia cordata
Thunb.
Tsi, Chameleon, Rainbow Plant, Chameleon Plant
iNaturalist· cc0
no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子
iNaturalist· cc0
no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Merav Vonshak, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Merav Vonshak
Description
Houttuynia cordata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.
Edible Uses
Teder young shoots and leaves - raw or cooked as a pot-herb. The leaves and young shoots are harvested in the spring when about 8cm long. Strongly aromatic according to one report whilst others say that it is rather smelly and somewhat like rotten fish. Our experience is that the leaves have a delicious orange-like smell and make a marvellous flavouring in salads. One report says that there are two distinct chemotypes of this species. Plants from Japan have an orange scent, whilst those from China have a smell resembling coriander leaves (Coriandrum sativum). Some people seem to really like this leaf, others are indifferent to it or strongly dislike it. It also varies quite considerably according to the time of year. In the spring and summer it has a very acceptable flavour, but by autumn a distinct bitterness has crept in. Root - cooked. Same comments on the smell as for the leaves. Fruit. No further details, but the fruit is a capsule that contains many small seeds.
Medicinal Uses
Antibacterial Antidote Antiinflammatory Antiphlogistic Antiviral Astringent Depurative Diuretic Dysentery Emmenagogue Febrifuge Hypoglycaemic Laxative Ophthalmic Women's complaints. The whole plant is antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antimicrbial, antiphlogistic, antiviral, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, laxative and ophthalmic[103, 116, 147, 174, 176, 218, 238, 240, 279]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of many ailments including cancer, coughs, dysentery, enteritis and fever. Its use is said to strengthen the immune system. Externally, it is used in the treatment of snake bites and skin disorders. The leaves and stems are harvested during the growing season and used fresh in decoctions. The leaf juice is antidote and astringent. A root extract is diuretic. The root is also said to be used in medicinal preparations for certain diseases of women. The rhizomes yield a sterol, resembling sitosterol, which stimulates the secretion of antibiotic substances from a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus. An active substance, effective in the treatment of stomach ulcers, has been extracted from the plant.
Distribution
E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: Honshu, Japan, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku, Taiwan,China (south). TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, Nepal,
Cultivation
Requires a moist to wet soil or shallow water, partial shade and a sheltered position. Whilst it grows best in a bog garden, it will succeed in moist garden borders and has also grown fairly well in a dry soil in Cornwall. It succeeds in full shade. Plants are hardy to about -15°c, the top growth is killed back by frost though the roots are much hardier. Even the roots, though, can be killed in severe winters. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties. 'Chameleon' has very attractively variegated leaves with the same flavour as the species. The bruised leaves emit a strong citrus smell rather like orange peel. Plants have a widely spreading root system and are very invasive, though they are easier to control in drier soils. Creeps harmlessly between ferns. Cultivated as a salad crop in Vietnam and in W. China.. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. Plants growing in an area with a high rabbit population were not eaten by them although other plants growing nearby were attacked.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Very quick and easy, it can be done successfully at almost any time in the growing season. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Other Uses
A good ground cover plant. Plants do not form a weed-suppressing cover. A spreading plant, it should be spaced about 45cm apart each way.
