Illicium anisatum
Common name
Japanese star anise, aniseed tree, sacred anise tree
Synonyms
Illicium japonicum Sieb. Illicium religiosum Sieb. et Zucc.A Family Illiciaceae, containing Illicium, is sometimes separated from F. Schisandraceae.
Family
Schisandraceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Brief description
Poisonous (cf, Chinese star anise, Illicium verum). Evergreen shrub or small tree to 5m tall. Leaves shiny dark green with undulate margins. Flowers with 7-15 separate tepals (petals + sepals), up to 20 stamens; ovary of 7-9 free carpels which mature as dry, star-shaped follicles.
Habitat
Seedlings self-establish near parent shrubs.
Similar taxa
Some species of F. Magnoliaceae and F. Winteraceae resemble Illicium.
Flower colours
White
Life cycle
Shrubs can flower and seed in NZ gardens when barely 1 m tall
Year naturalised
2010
Origin
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan
Reason for introduction
Ornamental; sometimes grown overseas for incense