Stats

Lifespan

Perennial

Size

Small

Diet

Photosynthetic

Biome

Freshwater wetland

Range

East and Southeast Asia

Movement

Sessile

Breeding

Runners

Defense

Toxins

Status

Uncommon

About

Chameleon plants, or Houttuynia cordata, are native to Southeast Asia and grow in moist, shady locations. These plants are remarkable because they can change color to mimic their surroundings, which makes them excellent camouflage.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   seed

   A dormant seed waits for water and warmth before germinating.
2. 2.
   sprout

   A first shoot emerges with cotyledon leaves and a tap root reaching down.
3. 3.
   sapling

   A young plant grows true leaves and a stem or trunk, putting on height each season.
4. 4.
   mature

   Fully grown, flowering or fruiting at adult size.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Plantae

Phylum

Tracheophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Piperales

Family

Saururaceae

Genus

Houttuynia

Species

Houttuynia cordata