Houttuynia cordata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hoo-TY-nee-ah kor-DAY-tah
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
Chameleon Plant is a aggressive groundcover with a creeping habit that spreads by rhizomes. It grows one to two feet in height and can continuously spread along the ground as it grows. It is very shade tolerant but not drought-tolerant, preferring moist soil to shallow water (1-2 in.) This plant can become problematic to remove once established. If you choose to use this plant put it in a 1 to 2-gallon container in the ground, or an area bounded by sidewalk or driveway to contain it.
Cordata is Latin for heart-shaped referring to leaves.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Chameleon'
synonymous with 'Variegata' or 'Tricolor' leaves of red, pink, yellow, cream - 'Plena'
- 'Chameleon'
- 'Chameleon', 'Plena'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Chameleon'
synonymous with 'Variegata' or 'Tricolor' leaves of red, pink, yellow, cream - 'Plena'
- 'Chameleon'
- 'Chameleon', 'Plena'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Houttuynia
- Species:
- cordata
- Family:
- Saururaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Edibility:
- This plant is consumed in areas of the Far East
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Water Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10b, 10a
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny flowers are on spikes surrounded by four white bracts.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Blue green ovate to cordate simple leaves with entire margins. Leaves may be aromatic if crushed
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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-
Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Weedy
