Houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint, fish leaf, rainbow plant, chameleon plant, heart leaf, fish wort, or Chineselizard tail, is one of two species in the genus Houttuynia. It is a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia. It grows in moist, shady locations.
Growth
Houttuynia cordata is a herbaceousperennial plant that can grow to, spreading up to. 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, long and broad. Its flowers are greenish-yellow and borne on a terminal spike long with four to six large white basal bracts. It normally blooms in the summer.
Cultivation
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. It can become invasive in gardens and difficult to eradicate as their roots run deep and actively spread. It propagates by division. It is usually found in one of its cultivated forms in temperate gardens. The 'Chameleon' variety 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.
Usage
Culinary use
It is commonly grown as a leaf vegetable, and is used as a fresh herbal garnish. The leaf has an unusual taste that is often described as 'fishy', so it is not enjoyed as universally as basil, mint, or other more commonly used herbs. In northeastern India, it is commonly used in salads, salsas, or cooked with other vegetables, and as a garnish over side dishes.The tender roots can also be ground into chutneys along with dry meat or fish, chilies, and tamarind. It is taken raw as salad and cooked along with fish as fish curry. In Japan and Korea, its dried leaves may be used as a tea. In Vietnamese cuisine, it is called diếp cá, and it is used with grilled meat and noodle salad dishes. Fish mint may be used as a garnish with several Vietnamese dishes, such as gỏi cuốn stir-fried beef with fish mint salad, and bánh xèo.
Zhe'ergen
Zhé'ěrgēn is the edible rhizome of Houttuynia cordata with a fresh, spicy, peppery flavour that is used in southwesternChinese cuisine, i.e. that of Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan and western Guangxi. Typically the leaves are eaten in Sichuan and the root in Guizhou. Zhé'ěrgēn fried with cured 'la rou' is one of the staple dishes of Guizhou. Notable uses include:
part of the extensive fried rice cuisine of Guizhou
a condiment to migan and mixiannoodles when served in broth
raw consumption as part of cold-tossed salads, when it is most frequently combined with coriander, vinegar, fresh chilli, and soy sauce.
The leaves are also a little peppery and are frequently consumed in the region.
Traditional medicine
Houttuynia cordata was used in traditional Chinese medicine, including by Chinese scientists in an attempt to treat SARS and various other disorders, although there is no high-quality clinical research to confirm such uses are safe or effective, as of 2018. When administered via injection, H. cordata can cause severe allergic reactions.
