Houttuynia cordata specimen

Houttuynia cordata is a herbal medicine included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which originates from the dry aboveground part of the Houttuynia cordata plant in the family of Sanbaicao. In summer, when the stems and leaves are lush and there are many flower spikes, they are harvested, impurities are removed, and dried in the sun. The stem is flat cylindrical, twisted, and 20-35cm long; The surface is brownish yellow with several longitudinal edges and distinct nodes. There are residual fibrous roots on the lower nodes; Crunchy and easily broken. Leaves alternate, curled and wrinkled, flattened and heart-shaped, 3-5cm long and 3-4.5cm wide; Apex gradually pointed, entire; The upper surface is dark yellow green to dark brown, and the lower surface is gray green or gray brown; The petiole is slender, and the base forms a sheath like structure when combined with the stipules. When crushed, it has a fishy odor.