Practical
Plants

Illicium anisatum

Star Anise

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Illicium genus in the family Illiciaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
6 m
Spread
6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fruit is poisonous in quantity[9][5].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fruit is used as a flavouring[10][4][5] and is also chewed after meals in order to sweeten the breath[16]. The fruit is about 25mm in diameter[10]. Some caution is advised because it is said to be poisonous in quantity[9][5].

Product or use
Condiment

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Diuretic, odontalgic, stimulant[16][19]. The fruit is carminative, stimulant and stomachic[12][14]. It is used primarily to promote digestion and the appetite, and to relieve flatulence[12]. It also makes a good additive to other medicines to improve their taste[12]. The leaves and the seeds are antibacterial[14].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - S. China, Japan, Taiwan.
Habitat
Thickets and woods in foothills, S. and C. Japan[17].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - it does not require pre-treatment and can be sown in early spring in a greenhouse[3]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and give some protection from the cold over the winter for the first year or two. Layering in early spring. Takes 18 months[20]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame[3]. Pot up the cuttings when they start to root and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting out after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light, moist well-drained loam and a sheltered position[1][2]. Prefers a humus-rich lime-free soil[6][11]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[11]. A slow-growing plant[8]. This species is not very cold-hardy, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c but normally requires the protection of a wall in most of Britain[7]. It succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the country[18]. Star anise is a very ornamental and aromatic plant that is much planted near Buddhist shrines and temples in Japan[7]. The plants have the scent of anise[13]. All parts of the plant are pleasingly aromatic. The leaves release a powerful aromatic odour when touched and the flowers have a spicy odour[15]. Plants seldom grow larger than about 2 metres in Britain, but are often 10 metres tall in their native habitat[17].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  4. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

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  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  8. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  9. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩1↩2

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  12. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  14. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  15. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  17. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  18. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

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  19. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  20. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

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