Small Anise-tree or Yellow Anise-tree / Illicium parviflorum
Family: Illicium / Illiciaceae
Characteristics: Small Anise-tree is a large evergreen shrub or small tree with medium texture and medium-fast growth rate. Form is upright and pyramidal. The rich, light green aromatic foliage has a pungent scent when crushed. Yellow-green flowers, 1/2 inch wide, are borne in June and often hidden among the foliage. Fruit are star-shaped with many points.
Landscape uses: Use Small Anise-Tree as a specimen plant, for screening, or hedges. Some pruning will be necessary. It establishes easily in moist soils in full sun to light shade. Growth is more dense in the sun, and loose and open in the shade.
Size: 8 to 15 feet with a spread of 6 to 10 feet
Zones: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Habitat: Sandy wet areas along streams, bays, and hammocks.
Native to: Southern Georgia and Florida
Comments: This is one of the most rugged of all the Illicium species, according to Michael Dirr.