wildflowers and weeds (was Re: Eggcorn?)

[Arnold M. Zwicky]

On May 17, 2005, at 11:24 AM, Dennis R. Preston asked me:

> Could you warn us about this with some other name?
>
> houttuynia cordata
>
> dInIs, who'd like to keep this crap out of his garden, but don't know
> what it is

it doesn't have a "common name", remarkably enough.  it's a fleshy
low-growing perennial with ivy-like leaves (more or less heart-
shaped, hence the "cordata") that are green, or green and red, or
green and red and cream.  very pretty.  according to the Sunset New
Western Garden Book, "Foliage emits an odd scent when crushed,
reminiscent of orange peel."  well, really rank orange peel.

the leaves are used as a flavoring in southeast asian food,
especially burmese.  (they're featured in a number of dishes in my
local burmese restaurant.)  a little goes a long way.  even for me,
and i'm one of those people who like extreme tastes.

the roots go down, and they go out.  any little bit of the plant will
take root in reasonably moist soil.  (think ivy.  think *bamboo*.)
oh.  my.  god.

arnold