Plant Identification Learning Module:
Ornamentals

Yellow Anise (Illicium parviflorum)

Yellow anise, sometimes called small-flowered anise, is an evergreen shrub or small tree which can grow to a height of 25 feet. The solid green leaves are two to four inches long, simple, spirally-arranged, and obovate to elliptic in shape. Crushed leaves have a licorice aroma. Flowers are inconspicuous and fruit is a star shaped many-seeded pod about 3/4 inch in diameter.


Large anise shrub rounded with dense foliage
Full Form – Illicium parviflorum: Anise, Yellow Anisetree, Star Anise
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS

Anise foliage
Photo by David MacManus
© Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. 2008. USF Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants
Anise flower
Anise fruit
Photos by Bruce Hansen
© Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. 2008. USF Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants