Fishwort, Swamp pepper, Fish smelling herb
Houttuynia cordata

Family: Saururaceae

What it is like

A herb 10-30 cm tall. It climbs slightly. It has stolons and continues to grow from year to year. The leaves are alternate and oval. They narrow to the tip and are heart shaped at the base. They are 10 cm long by 6 cm wide. They are slightly hairy on the veins. They have a smell of oranges when crushed. The leaf stalk is 3-4 cm long. The flowers are in a spike. This is at the ends of branches and is 2.5 cm long by 6 mm wide. There are 4 developed bracts. These are oval and 1.5-2 cm long and white. The fruit is an urn shaped capsule. The seed are oval and 1 mm long.

There is only one Houttuynia species. It can spread widely.

Where it is found

A tropical to temperate plant. It is frost hardy. In Nepal it grows between 700-2500 m altitude. It grows in moist, shady places. It will grow in water up to 3-5 cm deep. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Europe, France, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, SE Asia, Sikkim, South America, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to flavour dishes of raw fish. The leaves are eaten in salads. They can be stored for 2-3 days. The tender shoots and leaves including flowers are cooked as a vegetable and also pickled. They are used in chutney and to flavour curries. The rhizome is eaten as a vegetable raw or cooked. It is made into chutney or pickles. The fruit is eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in markets. It is commonly eaten in Bhutan.

Edible parts

Leaves, rhizomes, fruit, vegetable, roots, plant - tea, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or division of the clump. It spread and covers the ground. It can be grown from tip cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Aithanglou, Ai thang, Amuli, Arunaha, Azina, Bagnetra, Checha peya, Chi pahoa, Chu tsai, Dokudami, Eshakama, Fish mint, Fitta dhu, Ganaune jihar, Gandhe, Gane, Gardhe, Gaycho, Gaytsho, Giap ca, Gou tie wu, Hankumphi, Heartleaf, Heeli jhar, Hiley-jhar, Hongyea, Houttuynia, Ja mardoh, Ja-myrdoh, Jarmendo, Jukut hanyir, Kaiyukhing, Ke sa li guo, La diep ca, Lizard's tail herb, Lu lin, Machundari, Maisundri, Majoukhom bua, Masundari, Mesandori, Mojoukhmo, Mombering, Mosondari, Mosondoi, Mreptang, Myrdoh, Nga-nyi, Pahaodong, Pa huai, Pa hui, Palhao, Parushampabi, Phak khaao thong, Phapre jhor, Phluu kae, Rau daap, Rau diep ca, Roram, Sabiegeye, Thalai naam, Thingnaluk, Tokningkok, Toninkhok, Tri-okudami, Tsi, Tufo, Tuningko, Ui-thin-thang, VeSiahamang, Wu se b, Yu xing cao, Yuxingcao, Zhergen

Synonyms

Houttuynia emeiensis Z. Y. Zhu & S. L. Zhang; Houttuynia foetida Loudon; Polypara cordata Kuntze;