Illicium verum

Illicium verum

Illicium verum is an evergreen tree or large shrub native to Southeast Asia.

It grows from 5 to 15 meters tall.

The bark is light gray or whitish, smooth.

The leaves are leathery, shiny, lanceolate, dark green, and have a strong aroma when crushed.

The flowers are single, ray-shaped, and range in color from white to yellowish or reddish.

The fruits are characteristic, hard, woody follicles arranged in a star-shaped rosette, containing a single shiny, brown seed.

The dried fruits have an intense, sweet aroma reminiscent of traditional anise, which is why they are used in gingerbread, mulled wine, Asian dishes, and liqueurs.

They have expectorant, antibacterial, and antispasmodic properties. Illicium verum grows best in well-drained, fertile, and humus-rich soil.

It prefers a sunny or partly sunny location.