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Pimpinella anisum
  • Aniseed

an annual member of the Pimpinella genus in the family Umbelliferae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Pimpinella anisum has 0 edible uses listed
Pimpinella anisum has 0 material uses listed
Pimpinella anisum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4][5]. The leaves have a sweet aniseed flavour, they are very refreshing to chew and are also nice as a flavouring in salads, puddings, soups, stews etc[183, K]. When adding to cooked dishes, only add the leaves for the last few minutes of the cooking or the flavour will be lost[K].

The aromatic seed is eaten raw or used as a flavouring in raw or cooked foods such as soups, pies, bread and cakes[1][2][6][3][7][4][8]. A distinctive sweet liquorice flavour[9], its use improves the body's ability to digest food[8]. The seed is harvested by cutting the whole plant when the seed is ripe. The plants are then kept in a warm, dry position for a week and then threshed to remove the seeds. Store the seeds in the dark in an airtight jar[8]. An essential oil from the seed is used as a food flavouring in sweets (especially aniseed balls) ice cream, chewing gum, pickles etc[10][9][11]. It is also often used to flavour alcoholic drinks such as pernod, ouzo and anisette[11][8].

The leaves and the seeds can be brewed into a sweet liquorice-like tea[9].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the seed, used in perfumery, tooth pastes, medicinally and as a food flavouring[10][11].

The powdered seed can be used as a dentrifice and mouthwash[12]. The plant is an ingredient of pot-pourri.

The plant can be used as an insect repellent but it is also said to attract mice[2]. If aniseed oil is liberally smeared around live-traps it can attract mice and other rodents into them[13][12]. The plants seem to be immune to the predations of slugs and snails and can help to protect neighbouring plants[12]. A spray made by boiling of one part coriander leaves and one part anise seeds in two parts of water is very effective against red spider mites and woolly aphids[12].

Unknown part

Essential
Insecticide
Pot-pourri
Repellent
Dental care

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Aniseed has a delicious sweet liquorice-like flavour and is a commonly used and very safe herbal remedy that is well suited for all age groups from children to the elderly. However, its use has declined in recent years with the advent of cheaper substitutes such as Illicium verrum and synthetic substances[11]. It is a particularly useful tonic to the whole digestive system and its antispasmodic and expectorant effects make it of value in the treatment of various respiratory problems[14]. The seed is the part used, generally in the form of an extracted essential oil[13]. The essential oil comprises 70 - 90% anethole, which has an observed oestrogenic effect whilst the seed is also mildly oestrogenic[14]. This effect may substantiate the herb's use as a stimulant of sexual drive and of breast-milk production[14]. The essential oil should not be used internally unless under professional supervision whilst the seeds are best not used medicinally by pregnant women, though normal culinary quantities are quite safe[14]. The seed is antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, pectoral, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[13][15][2][6][3][16][17][12]. It is of great value when taken internally in the treatment of asthma, whooping couch, coughs and pectoral affections as well as digestive disorders such as wind, bloating, colic, nausea and indigestion[13][14]. Externally it is used to treat infestations of lice, scabies and as a chest rub in cases of bronchial disorders[11]. A strong decoction of the seeds can be applied externally to swollen breasts or to stimulate the flow of milk[8].

Unknown part

Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Aromatic
Carminative
Digestive
Expectorant
Galactogogue
Pectoral
Stimulant
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow mid to late spring in situ. This sowing only succeeds in producing a crop of ripe seeds in years when the summers are hot[11]. A more certain crop (but much more labour intensive) can be obtained by sowing 4 - 5 seeds per pot in a greenhouse in early spring. They should germinate within 3 weeks. Thin if necessary to the best seedling and plant them out after the last expected frosts[K]. Aniseed strongly resents root disturbance.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Pimpinella anisum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[18] but prefers a fairly rich warm well-drained light soil in a sunny position[18][7][4][5]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7.5[11].

Aniseed has a very long history of herbal and culinary use, and is often cultivated for its edible and medicinal seed in warm temperate zones[16][8]. The plant needs warm summers if it is to grow well and seeds only ripen in Britain in long warm summers[13][4][19]. Plants strongly resent root disturbance and should not be transplanted.

A good companion plant in the garden, its aromatic nature helping to keep nearby plants free of aphis etc. Its flowers attract parasitic wasps to the garden and these prey on a large number of garden pests[11]. Aniseed grows especially well with coriander[20][6][12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Pimpinella anisum. 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 Pimpinella anisum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Pimpinella anisum
Genus
Pimpinella
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Medicinal uses
[11][14][13][15][2][6][3][16][17][12][8]
Material uses & Functions
[10][11][12][2][13]
Botanic
[21][19]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
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
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
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.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.45 x 0.15 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn (1980-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    11. ? 11.0011.0111.0211.0311.0411.0511.0611.0711.0811.0911.10 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.612.7 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.513.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    18. ? 18.018.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    20. ? Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    21. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-50

    "image:Illustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Pimpinella anisum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusPimpinella +
    Has common nameAniseed +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Seeds +
    Has edible useSeasoning +, Unknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageIllustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential +, Insecticide +, Pot-pourri +, Repellent + and Dental care +
    Has mature height0.45 +
    Has mature width0.15 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiseptic +, Antispasmodic +, Aromatic +, Carminative +, Digestive +, Expectorant +, Galactogogue +, Pectoral +, Stimulant +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageIllustration Pimpinella anisum0.jpg +
    Has search namepimpinella anisum + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy namePimpinella anisum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +