| Scientific name | Illicium verum Hook.f. |
|---|---|
| Other names | Star anise, Chinese star anise, Fructus Anisi Stellati |
| Appearance | Woody, star-shaped dried fruit, generally consisting of eight carpels arranged around a central axis. Each branch contains a smooth, glossy seed |
| Odor | Anise-like, warm, sweet, spicy, and strongly aromatic |
| Color | Reddish brown to dark brown, with light brown, glossy seeds |
| Parts used | Whole, fragmented, or powdered dried fruit |
| Origins | Southern China and northern Vietnam; the species is also cultivated in several regions of East and Southeast Asia |
| Toxicity level | Low when the species is correctly identified and used in culinary quantities. Do not confuse it with Japanese star anise, Illicium anisatum, which is highly toxic. The origin and botanical identification must be guaranteed before any internal use |
