| Houttuynia cordata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Piperales |
| Family: | Saururaceae |
| Genus: | Houttuynia |
| Species: | H. cordata |
| Binomial name | |
| Houttuynia cordata | |
Houttuynia cordata, also known asfish mint,fish leaf,rainbow plant,chameleon plant,heart leaf,fish wort, orChinese lizard tail, is one of two species in the genusHouttuynia (the other beingH. emeiensis). It is aflowering plant native toSoutheast Asia.[1] It grows in moist, shady locations.[2] It was named afterMartinus Houttuyn.
Houttuynia cordata is aherbaceousperennial plant that can grow to 0.6–1 m (2 ft 0 in – 3 ft 3 in), spreading up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in).[2][1] The proximal part of the stem is trailing and producesadventitious roots, while the distal part of the stem grows vertically. Theleaves are alternate, broadly heart-shaped, 4–9 cm (1+1⁄2–3+1⁄2 in) long and 3–8 cm (1–3 in) broad. Itsflowers are greenish-yellow and borne on a terminal spike2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) long with four to six large white basalbracts.[2][1] It normally blooms in the summer.
It is considered an invasive plant because of its ability to regrow rhizomes from any segment of its foliage.[3]
It is native to Nepal, Taiwan, Myanmar, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea.[4] In South Korea, it is found inGyeongsangbuk-do,Ulleungdo, and the Southern region.[4]
Houttuynia cordata grows in moist to wet soil or slightly submerged in water, as long as it is exposed partially or fully to the sun.[2][1] It can become invasive in gardens and difficult to eradicate as its roots run deep and actively spread. It propagates bydivision.
It is usually found in one of its cultivated forms in temperate gardens. The 'Chameleon' variety (synonymous withH.cordata 'Court Jester', 'Tricolour', and 'Variegata') is slightly less vigorous than the parent species, with stubbier leaves mottled in both yellow and red. Another common variety, 'Flore Pleno', has masses of white bracts and retains the vigor of the parent species.
Houttuynia cordata has been naturalized in North America.[5]
It is commonly grown as aleaf vegetable, and is used as a fresh herbalgarnish.[2] The leaf has an unusual taste from its volatile oildecanoyl acetaldehyde [Wikidata] (3-oxododecanal), a taste that is often described as "fishy", earning it the nickname "fish mint".
In northeastern India, the leaves are commonly used in salads,salsas, or cooked with other vegetables, and as a garnish over side dishes. The tender roots can also be ground intochutneys along with dry meat or fish, chilies, andtamarind. It is used raw as a salad and cooked along with fish as fish curry. In Japan and Korea, the dried leaves may be used as anherbal tea. It is calleddokudami-cha (どくだみ茶) in Japan andeoseongcho cha (어성초차) in Korea.
In Vietnamese cuisine, the plant is calleddiếp cá and is used with grilled meat and noodle salad dishes.[6] Fish mint may be used as a garnish with several Vietnamese dishes, such asgỏi cuốn, stir-fried beef with fish mint salad, andbánh xèo.[7]
Zhé'ěrgēn (Chinese:折耳根, "broken ear-root") is the edible rhizome ofHouttuynia cordata (yúxīngcǎo;魚腥草; "fish-smelling grass") with a fresh, spicy, peppery flavour that is used in southwestern Chinese cuisine, i.e. that ofGuizhou,Sichuan,Yunnan and westernGuangxi. Typically the leaves are eaten in Sichuan and the root in Guizhou.Zhé'ěrgēn fried with larou (curedpork belly) is one of the staple dishes of Guizhou.uses:
Houttuynia cordata was used intraditional Chinese medicine, including by Chinese scientists in an attempt to treatSARS[8] and various other disorders,[9] although there is no high-qualityclinical research to confirm such uses are safe or effective, as of 2018. When administered via injection,H. cordata can cause severe allergic reactions.[10]
Extracts of this plant are a major ingredient in Korean skincare products.[citation needed]
Chemical compounds that contribute to the aroma ofH. cordata includeβ-myrcene[11][12] and2-undecanone.[13]
Data related toHouttuynia cordata at Wikispecies