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Florida Anise Illicium floridanum 'Swamp Hobbit'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
il-LISS-ee-um flor-ih-DAY-num
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

'Swamp Hobbit' is a dwarf variety of the I. floridanum species, a compact evergreen shrub in the Schisandraceae (starvine) family and native to the southeastern United States. The 'Swamp Hobbit', reflecting its common variety name, can reach 6 to 8 inches in height and a foot or so in breadth in 5 years and may expand to 2 feet high and 5 feet wide over the years. However, it can be trimmed to maintain a desired size. Leaves and flowers are of normal size, but with particularly short internodes.

It is best to grow this plant in part to full shade, as the leaves may scorch in many hours of bright sunlight. It is not drought tolerant and it is best to plant it in wet sites such as bog gardens, water gardens, along streams and ponds. It does spread by root suckers, which may be cut away as needed. It tolerates heavy shade, erosion, and wet planting sites, but is not cold hardy. 

The bright foliage of this plant is attractive and aromatic, smelling similar to anise spice when crushed or bruised. The shiny, leathery leaves are light olive-green in color and the 1.5 inch flowers are dark red, appearing in the early spring. The leaves contain high levels of aromatic compounds that repel or are toxic to insects, making it pest resistant.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 

No significant 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 floridanum.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#poisonous#shrub#fragrant leaves#shade garden#low maintenance#fast growing#deer resistant#pollinator plant#evergreen shrub#wet soils tolerant#heavy shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#poisonous#shrub#fragrant leaves#shade garden#low maintenance#fast growing#deer resistant#pollinator plant#evergreen shrub#wet soils tolerant#heavy shade tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Illicium
    Species:
    floridanum
    Family:
    Schisandraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers are attractive to pollinators.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    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
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1 1/2 inch slightly fragrant flowers blossom in the spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Deep green leaves give off an anise aroma.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    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