Illicium lanceolatum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- il-LISS-ee-um lan-see-oh-LAY-tum
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
