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Re: [SG] Houttynia, an herb?

>Date:    Mon, 14 Sep 1998 06:04:08 -0600
>From:    Margaret Lauterbach <mlaute@MICRON.NET>
>Subject: Re: shadegardens Digest - 11 Sep 1998 (#1998-276)
>
>In view of the fact that I can't get it to grow (probably not enough water,
>and too much competition from lemon balm), and you're the second person to
>remark on its bad odor, I'd like to inject the following into the dialogue:
>Vap Ca -- Houttynia cordata -- Vietnamese herb used fresh on meat dishes
>and in soups.  Unusual, but interesting, savoury flavour.  Very easy to
>grow.  Shade tolerant." -- From p. 76, Richters Herb Catalog 1998.
>
>Margaret, who would advise anyone wanting to try ingesting it to make
>absolutely sure of its identity first.

Hi Margaret,
 It prefers moist soil. You can grow it as a marginal pond plant, or even
in a pot sitting in water in the pond.

 Just went outside to break off a piece. It does have a slightly
orange/citrus smell when crumbled. (keep in mind I think Russian
Olive(eleagnus) smells like heaven, and don't really mind the smell of mums)
 Since it would never occur to me to actually cook anything that didn't
come out of a can or a box, I just went ahead and munched on a 2 inch leaf.
<g>
 It's not really much to write home about, it's an almost perfect match for
the 'sour grass' we used to nibble on as kids. 'Sour grass' is a lawn weed
with 1-2 inch long leaves that look something like miniature sagitaria leaves.
 And yes, I still pluck the blossoms of red annual salvia to suck the
nectar. <g>
Matt Trahan  <matttrahan@ecsu.campus.mci.net> or <garden@juno.com>
USDA zone 8, AHS heat zone 7, Sunset zone 31, northeastern N.C.
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