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Chameleon plant

How to identify Chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata)

Chameleon plant, also known as Fish mint, Heart leaf, Bishop's weed

Chameleon plant is distinguished by its striking foliage, which is bright green and often features a mix of red, bronze, or yellow hues. The leaves are indeed heart-shaped, with a diagonal breadth of up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) and a pointed tip. Its ground-hugging nature allows it to form dense mats, which can spread around 1 foot (30 cm) wide. Chameleon plant's leaves emerge on long, thin stems that exhibit an almost tranlucent quality, showcasing the plant's notable texture and vibrancy.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Chameleon plant

1

Heart-shaped leaves with red, bronze, or yellow hues

2

Leaves on long stems with translucent quality

3

Tiny flowers on conical lime green spikes

4

Distinctive white bracts around clustered flowers

5

Strong fishy odor when leaves are crushed

Chameleon plantChameleon plantChameleon plantChameleon plantChameleon plant

Detailed Traits of Chameleon plant

Leaf Features

Chameleon plant features simple leaves that are blue-green to purple with ovate to cordate shapes. These heart-shaped leaves have entire margins and are alternately arranged along the stem. The leaves are generally 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 7.5 cm) long. The lower portion of their petiole forms a sheath around the stem. When the leaves are crushed, they emit a strong, fishy odor due to sulphurous compounds, which is a key identifying characteristic.

Leaf Shape

Ovate ,
Cordate

Chameleon plant Leaf Shape image
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Flower Features

The flowers of chameleon plant are tiny and clustered on tall, conical lime green spikes that are about 0.8 inches (2 cm) long. Each spike is accompanied by four white, petal-like bracts at its base. These distinctive white bracts encircle the spikes, which make the small, clustered flowers stand out. The flowers themselves are small, a defining feature key for identification. The blooms showcase a delicate structure, adding grace to the plant's appearance during its flowering period.

Chameleon plant Flower image
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Key Facts About Chameleon plant

Attributes of Chameleon plant
Lifespan
Perennial, Annual
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
30 cm to 1 m
Spread
1 m
Leaf Color
Green
Blue
Red
Variegated
Flower Size
2 cm to 3 cm
Leaf type
Deciduous
The Toxicity of Chameleon plant
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Scientific Classification of Chameleon plant

Species
Chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata)
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Distribution Map of Chameleon plant

Chameleon plant is natively found in temperate and tropical regions of Eastern Asia and has been introduced to parts of Europe. Beyond its native range, chameleon plant has been cultivated for various reasons and is appreciated in some gardens. While chameleon plant is sometimes thought to be merely adventurous in its non-native locales, in certain areas such as New Zealand, it may have an impact on ecosystems. Despite this, its cultivation remains common in regions where climate and conditions are favorable.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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