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Houttuynia cordata

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Houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint, fish leaf, rainbow plant, chameleon plant, heart leaf, fish wort, or Chinese lizard tail, is one of two species in the genus Houttuynia (the other being H. emeiensis). It is a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia.[1] It grows in moist, shady locations.[2] It was named after Martinus Houttuyn.

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Houttuynia cordata is a herbaceous perennial 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 produces adventitious roots, while the distal part of the stem grows vertically. The leaves are alternate, broadly heart-shaped, 4–9 cm (1 1⁄2–3 1⁄2 in) long and 3–8 cm (1–3 in) broad. Its flowers are greenish-yellow and borne on a terminal spike 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1 1⁄4 in) long with four to six large white basal bracts.[2][1] It normally blooms in the summer.

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It is considered an invasive plant because of its ability to regrow rhizomes from any segment of its foliage.[3]

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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 their roots run deep and actively spread. It propagates by division.

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It is usually found in one of its cultivated forms in temperate gardens. The ‘Chameleon’ variety (synonymous with H.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.[4]

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