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Common Name: Star Anise

General Information

Illicium anisatum is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 6.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

The essential oil obtained from this plant is poisonous[]. The fruit is poisonous in quantity[, ].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - S. China, Japan, Taiwan.

Habitat

Thickets and woods in foothills, S. and C. Japan[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a light, moist well-drained loam and a sheltered position[, ]. Prefers a humus-rich lime-free soil[, ]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[]. A slow-growing plant[].
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[]. It succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the country[].
Star anise is a very ornamental and aromatic plant that is much planted near Buddhist shrines and temples in Japan[]. The plants have the scent of anise[]. All parts of the plant are pleasingly aromatic. The leaves release a powerful aromatic odour when touched and the flowers have a spicy odour[].
Plants seldom grow larger than about 2 metres in Britain, but are often 10 metres tall in their native habitat[].

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

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

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - it does not require pre-treatment and can be sown in early spring in a greenhouse[]. 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[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame[]. 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.