Illicium anisatum

Japanese Anise is a glossy leaf upright evergreen shrub or small tree with aromatic leaves and pale yellow starfish-shaped flowers in early spring. This species is uncommon in American gardens but our native Illicium parviflorum has been widely sold and even mislabeled in botanic gardens as this plant although the anise-scented foliage is about where the similarity ends ! This plant is important in Shinto religious practice. It also makes a nice garden plant in semi-shaded sites with good, moist, but well-drained soil.