Star Anise

A genus of about 40 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees, with aromatic bark and star-shaped fruits, widely distributed in SE Asia and the West Indies. The leathery leaves are aniseed-scented, and in some species the flowers are produced directly from the bark. Illicium verum (star anise) should not be confused with I. anisatum, which contains sikimitoxin or anisatin and whose smaller, odorless fruits are used as fish poison and to adulterate star anise. The two species are often referred to by the same name — Chinese anise.

Evergreen tree with pointed, ellipticc leaves, to 15cm (6in) long. Solitary, yellow-white, magnolia-like flowers, 1cm (3/8in) across, often tinged red to pink inside, appear in summer, followed by 8-pointed, woody fruits, with a single seed in each segment.


Common Name:
Star Anise
Other Names:
Badian
Botanical Name:
Illicium verum
Genus:
Illicium
Family:
Illiciaceae
Native Location:
S China, N Vietnam
Cultivation:
Moist, well-drained, neutral to acid soil in partial shade.
Propagation:
By semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Harvest:
Fruits are collected unripe for chewing, and ripe for oil distillation or use in decoctions and powders.
Height:
18m (60ft)
:Width
7-12m (22-40ft)
Hardiness:
Z8
Parts Used:
Fruits (ba jiao hui xiang), oil.
Properties:
A warm, stimulant herb that benefits the digestion, releives pain, and has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effects.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for abdominal pain, digestive disturbances, and complaints associated with cold conditions (such as lumbago). Often included in remedies for digestive disturbances and cough mixtures, and as aniseed flavoring for medicines. Excess causes trembling and convulsions, due to the high content of anethole (80-90 percent) in the essential oil.
Culinary Uses:
Ripe fruits are used to flavor curries, tea, and pickles; also an ingredient of "five spice powder" in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. Unripe fruits are chewed after meals as a digestive and breath sweetener in the East.
Economic Uses:
Ripe fruits are used to flavor coffee and candy. Essential oil is used to flavor liqueurs, soft drinks, and bakery products.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg 242