Illicium parviflorum

anisefull
(Photo by Ebony Armstrong)

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Taxonomy (2)

Classification: Angiosperm, dicot
Family: Illiciaceae
Common name: Yellow Anise, Yellow Anisetree, Star Anise

General Information (1,2)

Region of Origin: Florida
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 8-10
Growth Habit: Large shrub to small tree

  • Size: 20 feet tall, 10-15 feet wide
  • Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
  • Flowering: Spring and summer

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves (1,2)

  • Arrangement: Alternate
  • Simple/Compound: Simple
  • Shape: Elliptical
  • Other: Licorice odor when crushed

aniseleaf
(Photo by Ebony Armstrong)

Stem/Bark (1,2)

  • Color: Green
  • Other: Fragrant

anisestem
(Photo by Ebony Armstrong)

Flower (1,2)

  • Color: Greenish-yellow
  • Size: Less than 1 inch

aniseflower
(Photo by Jessica Bartek)

Fruit (1,2)

  • Size: 0.5 to 1 inch
  • Color: Green

anisefruit
(Photo by Jessica Bartek)

Horticultural Information (1,2)

  • Light: Full shade to sun
  • Soil type: Sand, loam, or clay
  • pH: Acidic
  • Maintenance: Low maintenance
  • Landscape Uses: Shrub border, background shrub, hedge
  • Other: Poor salt tolerance

Interesting Facts (1,2)

  • Leaves smell like black licorice
  • The term Illicium is Latin for allurement
  • When dried, the leaves are used in potpourri
  • The plant's leaves are toxic

References

1) Gilman, Edward F. (1999). Illicium parviflorum. University of Florida: Cooperative Extension Service. http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/illpara.pdf
2) Scheper, Jack. (2003). Illicium parviflorum. Floridata. http://www.floridata.com/ref/i/illi_par.cfm

Prepared by Ebony Armstrong as a course requirement for BIOL 3630/5630, Spring 2013
Edited by Jessica Bartek