Scientific Name:
Houttuynia cordata
'Chameleon'
Pronunciation:
how-TYE-nee-uh kore-DAY-tuh
Common Name:
tricolor houttuynia, chameleon plant
Family Name:
Saururaceae
Plant Type:
Ground cover, Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves are heart-shaped, 3-9cm long, brightly variegated pink, green, pale yellow and red on red stalks.
Habit:
Spreading
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.1 - 0.2m
Mature Spread:
> 25m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
S.E. Asia / Japan / China
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Bog, Humus rich
Water Use:
High
Landscape Uses:
Ground cover, Herb, Perennial border, Waterside planting, Wetland - bogs, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus include H. 'Chameleon' (appears to have reverted back to species over many years).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Palmate venation
Surfaces:
Colour in Summer:
Green, Green-yellow, Red
Colour in Fall:
Green, Green-yellow, Purple, Red
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Apiculate
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Entire, Undulate (wavy)
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated, orange-like scent when crushed
Inflorescence Type:
Spike
Flower Morphology:
Number Of Petals:
0
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Green-yellow
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
four large bracts
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes, Stipule, leafy
Propagation:
Division - below ground parts
Pest Susceptibility:
Slugs or snails (Deer resistant)
Course(s):
- HORT 2355
Location(s):
- (GAZ) GAZebo
- (GAZW) GAZebo West : inder purple ninebark