WSU Clark County Extension
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Chameleon Plant

Scientific name: Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'
Taxonomy
Family:Saururaceae
Type:Groundcovers Herbaceus
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:5 to 9
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Wet
Plant Characteristics
Height:1 ft
Width:1 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:May to June
Bloom Color:White
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Chameleon Plant is fast growing herbaceous groundcover that can quickly fill a piece of ground. Don’t give it free rein however!

  Morphology:
Chameon Houttuynia is a low growing groundcover that grows to 9” in height and 16” in spread.. It features green and yellow variegated triangular leaves. Leaves give off an aromatic fragnance when they are crushed.

Mother plants will spread by underground rhizomes.
In early summer nickel sized white blossoms appear. Their presence however is not all that not note worthy.

  Adaptation:
For a wet site this plant spread quickly to cover the sun or shaded site. Due to its invasiveness, the best cultural practices to contain its spread are to place it in a restricted root zone area (of about 1' deep), such as that bounded by a sidewalk and foundation. It can be grown in standing water, as long as it is no deeper than 2”.

It could also be used in a container. Be careful not to dispose of any plant parts in the compost pile.

One could limit its spread by planting it in hot dry sites.

  Pests:
None.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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