anise tree

any of several evergreen shrubs and small trees of the genus Illicium

• purple anise, Illicium floridanum — small shrubby tree with purple flowers; found in wet soils of southeastern United States
• star anise, Illicium anisatum — small shrubby tree of Japan and Taiwan; flowers are not fragrant
• star anise, Chinese anise, Illicium verum — small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a carminative

• tree — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

• Illicium, genus Illicium — anise trees: evergreen trees with aromatic leaves