Illicium floridanum
Common name: 
Florida Anise Tree
Purple Anise Tree
Pronunciation: 
i-LISS-i-um (il-LIK-ee-um) flor-i-DA-num
Family: 
Illicaceae
Genus: 
Illicium
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf evergreen shrub, to 6-10 ft tall and wide (1.8-3 m).  Leaves alternate (may appear whorled), simple, leathery, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 6-15 cm long, about half as wide, tip pointed, base wedge-shaped, margin entire, glabrous, dark green above and paler below; higly aromatic (offensive) when crushed, petiole reddish purple, 1-2 cm long.  Flowers purple, nodding, 3-5 cm across, 20-30 petals, each 1.5-2 cm long, scent unpleasant.  Fruit star-shaped, 2.5- 3 cm long, seeds smooth, lustrous.
  • Part shade.  Best in moist, high organic soil.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 6     Native to Florida and Louisiana.
  • Silverton, Oregon: The Oregon Garden
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  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • leaves

    leaves