Illicium parviflorum aka Anisetree

Illicium parviflorum is known as yellow anise or small anise tree. It belongs to the Schisandraceae family. This evergreen shrub can also form a small tree. Kew lists its native range as Florida and the Dominican Republic. In Florida, it grows in damp woods and swamps. Missouri Botanical Garden notes its protected, threatened status in Florida. This state status does not establish a global conservation rating.

Garden plants reach 10–15 feet (3–4.6 metres) tall. Their spread is often 6–10 feet (1.8–3 metres). Some sources give larger sizes, reaching 20 feet (6.1 metres). These plants may spread 15 feet (4.6 metres) wide. Several stems form an upright, rounded crown. Slender branches droop, and shade makes the crown more open. Root suckers can create colonies around the parent plant. Branches can also take root where they touch soil.

The dark brown bark gains cracks as it ages. Young stems are green, stout, smooth, and rounded. The simple, oval leaves grow in an alternate pattern. They measure two to four inches long. New leaves start yellow-green and mature to glossy olive green. Their veins are hard to see. Leaves release a licorice scent when crushed or brushed. They keep their green color through fall. Small yellow-green flowers appear where leaves meet stems in May and June. The nodding blooms have overlapping petals and a faint scent. Star-shaped fruits contain follicles that split open when ripe. The dry fruits turn brown and can remain on stems.

Grow this plant in partial or full shade. It prefers rich, moist soil with good drainage. It accepts sand, loam, and clay, including slightly alkaline soil. Full sun suits it when the soil stays moist. Established plants withstand some drought but prefer steady moisture. Missouri Botanical Garden gives USDA zones 7–10; NC State also lists zone 6. Growth-rate tables describe a moderate pace, though introductions describe faster growth. Salt tolerance is poor.

Use it for hedges, screens, borders, or damp woodland plantings. It also suits rain gardens and naturalized areas. Allow room for its size and spreading shoots. Pruning can keep a shrub form or shape a small tree. Deer tend to avoid it. Sources report no major pest or disease problems. Cuttings and layering provide ways to raise new plants. Do not use its fruit as star anise spice. NC State warns that ingestion can poison humans and livestock. It rates poison severity as low, not harmless.