Uses
Edible uses
Notes
The fruit is used as a flavouring in curries, teas and pickles[3][4][2][5]. It is an ingredient of 'five spice powder', used in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine[5]. The fruit is also chewed after meals in order to sweeten the breath[6]. Caution is advised because it is said to be poisonous in quantity[1][2].
The essential oil is used to flavour liqueurs, soft drinks and bakery products[5].
Fruit
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The fruit is antibacterial, carminative, diuretic, odontalgic, stimulant, and stomachic[6][7][8][9][10]. It is taken internally in the treatment of abdominal pain, digestive disturbances and complaints such as lumbago[9][5]. It is often included in remedies for digestive disturbances and cough mixtures, in part at least for its pleasant aniseed flavour[5]. An effective remedy for various digestive upsets, including colic, it can be safely given to children[11]. The fruit is also often chewed in small quantities after meals in order to promote digestion and to sweeten the breath[6][5]. The fruit has an antibacterial affect similar to penicillin[9]. The fruit is harvested unripe when used for chewing, the ripe fruits being used to extract essential oil and are dried for use in decoctions and powders[5].
A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the seed[6].
Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - it does not require pre-treatment and can be sown in early spring in a greenhouse[12]. 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[13].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame[12]. 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.Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Illicium verum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Prefers a light, moist well-drained loam and a sheltered position[14][15] Prefers a humus-rich lime-free soil[16][17]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[17].
This species is not very cold-hardy, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and requires a very sheltered position or the protection of a wall when grown in Britain[17]. Chinese anise is extensively cultivated in China for its fruit and medicinal essential oil[17]. It is planted in the grounds of temples in Japan, and also on tombs[6].
Plants seldom grow larger than about 3 metres in Britain, but eventually reach about 18 metres tall in their native habitat[17].Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Illicium verum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Illicium verum.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Illicium verum
Genus
Illicium
Family
Illiciaceae
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Environmental Tolerances
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
References
- ? 1.01.11.2 Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
- ? 2.02.12.22.3 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
- ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
- ? 4.04.1 Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
- ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
- ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.76.8 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
- ? 7.07.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
- ? 8.08.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
- ? 9.09.19.29.3 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
- ? 10.010.1 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)
- ? 11.011.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
- ? 12.012.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
- ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
- ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
- ? Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
- ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
- ? 17.017.117.217.317.417.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)
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