A genus of flowering plants containing 42 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees, and is the sole genus in family Illiciaceae. The species are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of eastern and southeastern Asia, southeastern North America, and the West Indies.
The fruits of Illicium verum are known as star anise, and are used as a seasoning in Chinese and southeast-Asian cooking. Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is used in Japan to produce incense, but its fruits are toxic if ingested.
