1. Illicium Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. 10. 2: 1042, 1050, 1370. 1759.
Star-anise [Latin illicere, to allure]
Badianifera Kuntze
Leaves sometimes appearing whorled at ends of branches. Flowers erect to drooping; peduncle smooth to rugulose; perianth white, yellow, yellow-green, pink, or red to maroon, often glandular; outer tepals often bractlike and reduced, sometimes ciliolate, inner tepals often much larger and ligulate, sometimes only slightly larger and broadly obtuse, innermost often reduced, sometimes transitional to stamens; pistils orbicular to deltoid, styles narrow and acute, often recurved. Fruits dark brown, woody to leathery at maturity; peduncle sometimes thickened. Seeds glossy, dark brown to tawny or golden. x = 13, 14.
Species 42 (2 in the flora): North America, West Indies, Central America, and ne South America
SELECTED REFERENCES
Dirr, M. A. 1986. Hardy Illicium species display commendable attributes. Amer. Nurseryman 163: 92-100. Jones, S. B. and N. C. Coile. 1988. The Distribution of the Vascular Flora of Georgia. Athens, Ga. Roberts, M. L. and R. R. Haynes. 1983. Ballistic seed dispersal in Illicium (Illiciaceae). Pl. Syst. Evol. 143: 227-232. Thien, L. B., D. A. White, and L. Y. Yatsu. 1983. The reproductive biology of a relict--Illicium floridanum Ellis. Amer. J. Bot. 70: 719-727.
