What does Houttuynia cordata look like? Houttuynia cordata pictures

1. Plant shape

It is a perennial herb with a height of about 15-50 cm and a distinct fishy smell. The lower part of its stem lies prostrate and takes root underground, while the upper part is generally upright, relatively smooth and basically hairless.

2. Blades

The leaves of Houttuynia cordata are alternate, broadly ovate or heart-shaped, about 3-8 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. The apex is acuminate, the margin is entire, and has fine glandular dots. The colors of the top and bottom are different, the top is yellow-green or dark green, and the bottom is purple-red. There are long petioles, 3-5 cm long.

3. Flowers

It usually blooms between May and August, with peak flowering in summer. When it blooms, it is a spike inflorescence, the flower spike is yellow in color, the flowers grow at the top of the stem, opposite the leaves, and have 4 white bracts at the base, which are petal-like. The flowers are small and have no tepals.

4. Fruit

Its fruiting period is generally between July and October. The fruit is a capsule, oval in shape. The top of the fruit will crack when ripe.

5. Pictures