Star anise

Star anise - Photo by Geishaboy500

Star anise and anise have a similar flavor, but they are two very different and unrelated crops. Fruits of the star anise have of course a star shape.

Names

Scientific
   Illicium verum
English
   Badian
   Chinese star anise
   Star anise
   Star aniseed
Dutch
   Steranijs
Spanish
   Anís estrellado
French
   Anis étoilé
   Badiane chinoise
   Badianier de Chine
German
   Echter Sternanis
Italian
   Anice stellato

Taxonomy

Order
   Austrobaileyales
Family
   Schisandraceae
Genus
   Illicium
Species
   Illicium verum (Star anise)

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Originates from northeast Vietnam and southwest China.

Distribution:

China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Japan and Philippines.

Evergreen or deciduous:

Star anise is an evergreen tree.

Fruits:

The star shaped fruits are used as a spice.

Climate and weather:

Tropical

Height:

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Spacing:

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Propagation:

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Harvesting:

Fruits are harvested just before they are ripe.

Uses:

Star anise is used as a spice in Chinese, Indian, Malay and Indonesian cuisine. Also used (sometimes to replace anise) in baking or liquor production.

Also known for its medicinal use, for example in a tea to treat rheumatism. Star anise seeds can be chewed after meals to aid digestion.

Did you know that?

A similar tree, the Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), is not edible because it is very toxic.

Crop categories

Medicinal plants
Minor crops
Spices
Subtropical crops
Tropical crops

Pictures

Star anise - Photo by Geishaboy500