Houttuynia cordata is known as Fish mint, Lizard tail, Chameleon plant, Heartleaf, Fishwort, and Bishop's weed in English. It is one of two species in the genus Houttuynia, a flowering plant native to Japan, Korea, southern China, and Southeast Asia, where it grows in moist, shady places. Houttuynia cordata is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 20–80 cm (7.9–31.5 in). The leaves are alternate, broadly heart-shaped, 4–9 cm (1.6–3.5 in) long and 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) broad. Flowers, growing usually in summer, are greenish-yellow, borne on a terminal spike 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) long with four to six large white basal bracts.