Illicium anisatum
Illicium anisatum, with common names Japanese star anise, Aniseed tree, and sacred Anise tree, known in Japan as shikimi (樒, シキミ), is a tree closely related to the Chinese star anise (Illicium verum). Since it is highly toxic, the fruit is not edible; instead, the dried and powdered leaves are burned as incense in Japan. Its branches and evergreen leaves are considered highly sacred by Japanese Buddhists due to aversion from insects and their ability to remain fresh after pruning.
| Shikimi Japanese Star Anise | |
|---|---|
| Japanese star anise | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Austrobaileyales |
| Family: | Schisandraceae |
| Genus: | Illicium |
| Species: | I. anisatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Illicium anisatum | |
| Synonyms | |
Illicium anisatum is native to Japan. It is similar to the Chinese star anise, but its fruit is smaller and with a weaker odour, reputed to be more similar to the aroma of cardamom than to that of anise. Due to its poisonous nature, its seeds have been used as a fish poison as well as a natural agricultural pesticide and to repel animals from digging the grounds of Japanese graveyards. Its seeds have also been used medicinally to treat toothache and dermatitis topically, since it is unsuitable for internal use.