Houttuynia cordata

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Saururaceae

Genus

Houttuynia

Life cycle

perennial

Growth rate

vigorous

Height

0.6 m

Spread

1 m

Flower type

hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Teder young shoots and leaves - raw or cooked as a pot-herb^{[12][27][2][10][22]}. The leaves and young shoots are harvested in the spring when about 8cm long^[20]. Strongly aromatic according to one report^[10] whilst others say that it is rather smelly and somewhat like rotten fish^[3][9]. Our experience is that the leaves have a delicious orange-like smell and make a marvellous flavouring in salads[K]. 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)^[17]. Some people seem to really like this leaf, others are indifferent to it or strongly dislike it[K]. 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[K]. Root - cooked^[8][10]. Same comments on the smell as for the leaves^[3]. Fruit^[10]. No further details[K], but the fruit is a capsule that contains many small seeds^[13].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antimicrbial, antiphlogistic, antiviral, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, laxative and ophthalmic^{[2][4][5][6][7][15][17][18][23]}. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of many ailments including cancer, coughs, dysentery, enteritis and fever^[15]. Its use is said to strengthen the immune system^[7]. Externally, it is used in the treatment of snake bites and skin disorders^[17]. The leaves and stems are harvested during the growing season and used fresh in decoctions^[17]. The leaf juice is antidote and astringent^[15]. A root extract is diuretic^[15][18]. The root is also said to be used in medicinal preparations for certain diseases of women^[18][19]. The rhizomes yield a sterol, resembling sitosterol, which stimulates the secretion of antibiotic substances from a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus^[18]. An active substance, effective in the treatment of stomach ulcers, has been extracted from the plant^[18].

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good ground cover plant^[13]. Plants do not form a weed-suppressing cover[K]. A spreading plant, it should be spaced about 45cm apart each way^[14].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche

Soil surface

Environment

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.

Habitat

Shrubberies and damp places to 2400 metres in the Himalayas^[25]. Often found as a weed in wet fields^[11].

Light

partial sun

Shade tolerance

permanent shade

Water

aquatic

Hardiness

Zone 5+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

No

Drought

intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a moist to wet soil or shallow water, partial shade and a sheltered position^{[1][24][26][17]}. Whilst it grows best in a bog garden, it will succeed in moist garden borders^[16] and has also grown fairly well in a dry soil in Cornwall[K]. It succeeds in full shade^[14]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c^[11], the top growth is killed back by frost though the roots are much hardier. Even the roots, though, can be killed in severe winters^[26]. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties^[11]. 'Chameleon' has very attractively variegated leaves with the same flavour as the species[K]. The bruised leaves emit a strong citrus smell rather like orange peel[K]. Plants have a widely spreading root system and are very invasive, though they are easier to control in drier soils^[13]. Creeps harmlessly between ferns^[11]. Cultivated as a salad crop in Vietnam^[2] and in W. China^[11].. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits^[16]. Plants growing in an area with a high rabbit population were not eaten by them although other plants growing nearby were attacked[K].

Related plants

• Anemopsis californicaYerba Mansa
• Saururus cernuusSwamp Lily
• Saururus chinensis

References

1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

   ↩

2. Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217674-9

   ↩1↩2↩3

3. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

   ↩1↩2

4. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00

   ↩

5. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

   ↩

6. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

   ↩

7. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

   ↩1↩2

8. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

   ↩

9. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

   ↩

10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

11. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

12. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

14. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

15. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

16. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

17. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

18. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

19. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993-00-00

    ↩

20. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Vegetables Macmillan Reference Books, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0 333 62640 0

    ↩

21. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    • Flora of China

22. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

23. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩

24. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

    ↩1↩2

25. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

26. Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-7158-0789-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

27. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩