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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Houttuynia cordata''
| image = Houttuynia_cordata.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| ordo = [[Piperales]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| familia = [[Saururaceae]]
| genus = '''''Houttuynia'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carl Peter Thunberg|Thunb.]]
| species = '''''H. cordata'''''
| binomial = ''Houttuynia cordata''
| binomial_authority = Thunb.
}}
{{commons|Houttuynia_cordata|Houttuynia cordata}}
[[Image:Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'.jpg|thumb|left|''Houttuynia cordata'' '''Chameleon''']]
'''''Houttuynia cordata''''' ({{zh-cpl|c=[[wiktionary:鱼|鱼]][[wiktionary:腥|腥]][[wiktionary:草|草]]|p=yúxīng cǎo|l=fishy-smell herb}}), the sole species in the genus '''''Houttuynia''''', is a [[flowering plant]] native to [[Japan]], southern [[China]] and [[Southeast Asia]], where it grows in moist, shady places.
''Houttuynia'' is a [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]] growing to between 20 and 80 cm. The proximal part of the stem is trailing and produces [[adventitious root]]s, while the distal part of the stem grows vertically. The [[Leaf|leaves]] are alternate, broadly heart-shaped, 4-9 cm long and 3-8 cm broad. [[Flower]]s are greenish-yellow, borne on a terminal spike 2-3 cm long with 4-6 large white basal [[bract]]s.
==Cultivation==
The plant grows well in moist to wet soil and even slightly submerged in water in partial or full sun. Plants can become invasive in gardens and difficult to eradicate. Propagation is via division.
''Houttuynia'' in temperate gardens is usually in one of its cultivated forms, including: '''Chameleon''' (synonymous with ''H.c.'' 'Court Jester', ''H.c.'' 'Tricolour', ''H.c.'' 'Variegata') this variety is slightly less vigorous then the species and has leaves broadly edged in yellow and flecked with red; '''Flore Pleno''' has masses of white bracts and the vigour of the parent species.
== Medicinal & Culinary Use ==
Grown as a [[leaf vegetable]], particularly in Vietnam, where it is called ''giấp cá'' or ''diếp cá'' and is used as a fresh herbal garnish. The leaf has an unusual taste that is often described as ''fishy'' (earning it the nickname "fish mint"), so it is not enjoyed as universally as basil, mint, or other more commonly used herbs.
'''Houttuynia''' is also used in [[herbal medicine]]. The beverage ''dokudami cha'' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ドクダミ茶; literally "Houttuynia cordata tea") is an infusion made from Houttuynia cordata leaves, [[Oolong tea]] leaves, and [[Job's Tears]].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.katagiri.com/ctlg/le.html|title=Beverage|publisher=KATAGIRI & CO.INC.|accessdate=2006-10-04}}</ref>
In the southwestern Chinese provinces of [[Yunnan]], [[Guizhou]], and [[Sichuan]], roots are used as a [[root vegetable]]. English names include '''heartleaf''' and '''lizardtail'''.
== Invasive Weed ==
Lizard Tail is an invasive species in many areas in the United States.
==References and external links==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=115808 Flora of China: ''Houttuynia'']
* [http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfa.nsf/linkview/f216f1127f360407ca2571540023ae005e3946e74d2db314ca257210000a4a12 Asian Vegetables (with photo)]
*''Flora, The Gardener's Bible'', ABC Publishing, Ultimo, NSW, Australia, 2006 ISBN 0 7333 1439 2
{{Herbs & spices}}
[[Category:Piperales]]
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
[[Category:Vietnamese cuisine]]
{{vegetable-stub}}
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Houttuynia cordata''
| image = Houttuynia_cordata.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| ordo = [[Piperales]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| familia = [[Saururaceae]]
| genus = '''''Houttuynia'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carl Peter Thunberg|Thunb.]]
| species = '''''H. cordata'''''
| binomial = ''Houttuynia cordata''
| binomial_authority = Thunb.
}}
{{commons|Houttuynia_cordata|Houttuynia cordata}}
[[Image:Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'.jpg|thumb|left|''Houttuynia cordata'' '''Chameleon''']]
'''''Houttuynia cordata''''' ({{zh-cpl|c=[[wiktionary:鱼|鱼]][[wiktionary:腥|腥]][[wiktionary:草|草]]|p=yúxīng cǎo|l=fishy-smell herb}}), the sole species in the genus '''''Houttuynia''''', is a [[flowering plant]] native to [[Japan]], southern [[China]] and [[Southeast Asia]], where it grows in moist, shady places.
''Houttuynia'' is a [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]] growing to between 20 and 80 cm. The proximal part of the stem is trailing and produces [[adventitious root]]s, while the distal part of the stem grows vertically. The [[Leaf|leaves]] are alternate, broadly heart-shaped, 4-9 cm long and 3-8 cm broad. [[Flower]]s are greenish-yellow, borne on a terminal spike 2-3 cm long with 4-6 large white basal [[bract]]s.
==Cultivation==
The plant grows well in moist to wet soil and even slightly submerged in water in partial or full sun. Plants can become invasive in gardens and difficult to eradicate. Propagation is via division.
''Houttuynia'' in temperate gardens is usually in one of its cultivated forms, including: '''Chameleon''' (synonymous with ''H.c.'' 'Court Jester', ''H.c.'' 'Tricolour', ''H.c.'' 'Variegata') this variety is slightly less vigorous then the species and has leaves broadly edged in yellow and flecked with red; '''Flore Pleno''' has masses of white bracts and the vigour of the parent species.
== Medicinal & Culinary Use ==
Grown as a [[leaf vegetable]], particularly in Vietnam, where it is called ''giấp cá'' or ''diếp cá'' and is used as a fresh herbal garnish. The leaf has an unusual taste that is often described as ''fishy'' (earning it the nickname "fish mint"), so it is not enjoyed as universally as basil, mint, or other more commonly used herbs.
'''Houttuynia''' is also used in [[herbal medicine]]. The beverage ''dokudami cha'' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ドクダミ茶; literally "Houttuynia cordata tea") is an infusion made from Houttuynia cordata leaves, [[Oolong tea]] leaves, and [[Job's Tears]].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.katagiri.com/ctlg/le.html|title=Beverage|publisher=KATAGIRI & CO.INC.|accessdate=2006-10-04}}</ref>
In the southwestern Chinese provinces of [[Yunnan]], [[Guizhou]], and [[Sichuan]], roots are used as a [[root vegetable]]. English names include '''heartleaf''' and '''lizardtail'''.
== Invasive Weed ==
Lizard Tail is an invasive species in many areas in the United States.
==References and external links==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=115808 Flora of China: ''Houttuynia'']
* [http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfa.nsf/linkview/f216f1127f360407ca2571540023ae005e3946e74d2db314ca257210000a4a12 Asian Vegetables (with photo)]
*''Flora, The Gardener's Bible'', ABC Publishing, Ultimo, NSW, Australia, 2006 ISBN 0 7333 1439 2
{{Herbs & spices}}
[[Category:Piperales]]
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
[[Category:Vietnamese cuisine]]
{{vegetable-stub}}