1、 Plant shape

It is a perennial herb with a plant height of about 15-50 cm and an obvious fishy smell. The lower part of its stem lies on the ground and takes root underground. The upper part is upright, relatively smooth and basically hairless

2、 Blade

The leaves of Houttuynia cordata are alternate, and the shape is broad ovate or heart-shaped. It is about 3-8 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. The apex is acuminate, the edge is entire, and there are fine glandular spots. The colors above and below are different. The top is yellow green or dark green, and the bottom is purplish red. Long petiole, 3-5 cm long

3、 Flowers

It usually blooms between May and August, and its peak flowering period is in summer. When flowering, it is a spike, the color of the flower spike is yellow, the flower grows at the top of the stem, opposite to the leaf, and there are 4 white bracts at the base, in the shape of petals. The flowers are smaller and have no perianth segments

4、 Fruit

Its fruiting period is usually between July and October. The fruit is a capsule with oval shape. When the fruit is ripe, the top part will crack

5、 Picture