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

• anise tree — any of several evergreen shrubs and small trees of the genus Illicium

• Chinese anise, star anise, star aniseed — anise-scented star-shaped fruit or seed used in Oriental cooking and medicine

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