WILD FOODIES' HOME PAGE
PLANT PROFILE LIST

 

         

 

NAME: Chameleon

SPECIES / FAMILY:   Houttuynia Cordata / Saururaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  Tsi, Rainbow Plant, Fish Wort

CONDITIONS: partial shade, moist soil

PARTS:	EDIBLE	TASTE	RAW/COOK	SEASON
All
Shoots			RAW/COOK	Spring
Leaves			RAW/COOK	Spring
Buds/Flowers
Fruits
Roots			COOK
Seeds
Nuts
Pods
Stalk
Bark

PORTION: small

COMMENT: Personally, I really like this plant. Very aromatic. Reminds me of ginger, with an orange or cilantro edge. But with this plant you can eat the leaves, whereas the leaves of wild ginger are toxic. There is also variegated species. Can use in teas, smoothies, and any kind of dish. Easy to transplant, spreads rapidly. Likes moist soil, sun & shade.

CAUTION:

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL: This appears to be a very important herb, in that it is one of the few antiviral herbs, plus it is also antibacterial, antiinflammatory, and much more. https://pfaf.org/user/Search_Use.aspx?glossary=Antiviral. Antibacterial;  Antidote;  Antiinflammatory;  Antiphlogistic;  Antiviral;  Astringent;  Depurative;  Diuretic;  Emmenagogue;  Febrifuge;  Hypoglycaemic;  Laxative;  Ophthalmic;  Women's complaints. (1)

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

OTHER USES:

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

 

1. https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Houttuynia+cordata
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houttuynia_cordata  
3. http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/get-healthy/healthy-living/herbal-healer-what-is-fishwort/article_2aef4660-2f63-5114-9a2b-5ca8b30aa509.html
4. https://phuketnews.phuketindex.com/lifestyle/plant-genetic-resources-204443.html
5. https://www.organicgardener.com.au/blogs/strange-fish
6. https://live.phuketindex.com/houttuynia-cordata-salad-2973.html
7. https://live.phuketindex.com/houttuynia-cordata-leaf-salad-3003.html