Illicium anisatum, with common names Japanese star anise, aniseed tree, and sacred anise tree, known in Japanese as shikimi (樒; シキミ), is an evergreen shrub or small 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 insects' aversion to them and their ability to remain fresh after pruning.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Japanese star anise being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Illicium arborescens
- Ilex integra — considered toxic
- Drimys winteri
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Austrobaileyales
- Family
- Schisandraceae
- Genus
- Illicium
- Species
- Illicium anisatum
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