Anise Tree

Illicium simonsii is a relatively hardy evergreen shrub or tree. It usually grows up to 9 metres (30 ft) high. The leaves are in clusters of three to five. The leaves are leathery, lanceolate to elliptical, 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) long, and 1.5–3.5 centimetres (0.59–1.38 in) wide. The leaf stem is 0.7–2 centimetres (0.28–0.79 in) long. The flower stems are 2–8 millimetres (0.079–0.315 in) long. The flowers have eighteen to twenty-three tepals, which are pale yellow, creamy, white, or rarely pink. The outer tepals are elliptical-oblong, and thinly papery. The flowers have sixteen to eighteen stamens, and eight to thirteen carpels. The plant flowers during most of the year, but mostly from February to May. The fruits grow on 0.5–1.6 centimetres (0.20–0.63 in) stems. The seeds are 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in) long. The plant fruits from June to October. The leaves, flowers, and fruit are all highly toxic.

Illicium simonsii is native to the temperate biome of India (Assam), China (Yunnan, western Guizhou, and south-west Sichuan), and Myanmar. Its estimated extent of occurrence is 344,940.92 square kilometres (133,182.43 sq mi). Illicium simonsii grows on well-drained acidic loam or sand, in thickets, forests, open fields, ravines, and wet places along rivers. It is present at elevations of 1,700–3,200 metres (5,600–10,500 ft). The species grows in full sun or partial shade.