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Guandong Star Anise Illicium lanceolatum

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
il-LISS-ee-um lan-see-oh-LAY-tum
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Anisetree is an erect, narrow, flowering evergreen tree that is native to China.  It has simple leathery leaves that are fragrant like anise when crushed.  Pink flowers are on the small side for Illicium and appear from May to June.  Star-shaped seed capsules follow the flowers in the summer.

Anisetree prefers part shade to shade but will tolerate more sun if given enough moisture. It is best grown in loam or organic soils that are moist to wet with a neutral or acid PH. It is resistant to deer browsing. Only the seed pods of Illicium verum (Chinese Star Anise) are recognized for culinary use in teas and as a spice. All other species have a variety of toxic characteristics in leaves, stems, and/or seed pods. You can use the plant as a specimen, a hedge, or along ponds and streams in a naturalized or woodland garden. Propagate by layering, stem cuttings, or seed.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Illicium.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#fragrant leaves#upright form#deer resistant#leathery leaves#evergreen tree#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#fragrant leaves#upright form#deer resistant#leathery leaves#evergreen tree#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Illicium
    Species:
    lanceolatum
    Family:
    Schisandraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Wildlife Value:
    provides cover for birds
    Edibility:
    All species and cultivars of Illicium, except for I. verum (Chinese Star Anise), have varying levels of toxicity.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Star-shaped capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    Tepals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small pink flowers from May to June
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leathery fragrant lanceolate leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    All species and cultivars of Illicium, except for I. verum (Chinese Star Anise), have varying levels of toxicity.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Sesquiterpene lactones
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Seeds