How to identify Purple Anise (Illicium floridanum)

How to identify Purple Anise (Illicium floridanum)

Purple Anise, also known as Stink-Bush, Florida Anisetree

Purple Anise is characterized by its thick, elliptic leaves arranged in pseudo-whorls at the tips of its branches. These leaves possess a signature scent reminiscent of anise when bruised. A noteworthy feature of purple Anise is the presence of distinctive purplish flowers with a rather strong odor, and numerous narrow petals. The leaf stems, or petioles, are tinged with reddish-purple, adding to the plant's unique appearance. This shrub is upright and compact, boasting multi-stemmed growth.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree, Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Purple Anise

Elliptic, pseudo-whorled leaves with an anise scent when bruised.

Showy maroon-purple flowers with strap-shaped petals and unpleasant odor.

Star-shaped fruit whorls transitioning from green to brown, containing shiny brown seeds.

Stout, shiny stems with gray-brown coloration, featuring small lenticels for texture.

Thick, glossy dark green leaves with reddish-purple petioles emitting a distinctive scent.

Detailed Traits of Purple Anise

Leaf Features

The leaves of purple Anise are alternate, simple, ranging from 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) in length. They appear glossy dark green on the upper surface and paler underneath. Typically found in a pseudo-whorl at the end of the stems, they are elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate in shape with an acute tip and a cuneate base. The edges are entire, and the surface is glabrous. These thick leaves have a reddish-purple petiole and emit a gin-and-tonic or anise scent when crushed.

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Flower Features

The flowers of purple Anise are showy maroon-purple with an unpleasant odor. They feature many strap-shaped, ligulate petals that nod on slender pedicels. These foetid, cauliferous blooms can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. The flowers typically bloom in spring, from April to May.

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Stem Features

The stems of purple Anise are stout and shiny with a gray-brown coloration. They feature small lenticels that dot the surface, offering a distinctive texture. Internally, the pith is green and solid. The stems are substantial in size, providing structural support for the plant. They have a relatively smooth surface and exhibit a robust, sturdy appearance essential for identification.

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Fruit Features

The fruit produced by purple Anise is a unique star-shaped whorl consisting of one-seeded dehiscent follicles. Each fruit measures less than one inch (2.54 cm) in diameter and displays a color transition from green to yellow to brown as it matures. Within these follicles lie the seeds, which are noted for their brown, shiny appearance. Although diminutive in size, the sculptural quality of the fruit formation is quite distinctive and aids in identification.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Purple Anise and Their Similar Plants

Lance-leaved anise shrub vs. Purple Anise: What's The Difference?

Lance-leaved anise shrub is an uncommon but rewarding ornamental shrub grown for its elegant rose-peach colored flowers and pointed evergreen leaves. When they are crushed these leaves give off a scent that is very similar to that of anise.

Japanese star anise vs. Purple Anise: What's The Difference?

Illicium anisatum, with common names Japanese star anise, Aniseed tree, and sacred Anise tree, known in Japan as Shikimi (樒, シキミ), is a 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 their ability to remain fresh after pruning. Illicium anisatum is native to Japan. It is similar to the Chinese star anise, but its fruit is smaller and with a weaker odour, reputed to be similar to cardamom than anise. Due to its poisonous nature, its seeds have been used as a fish poison as well as a natural agricultural pesticide to repel animals from digging the grounds of Japanese graveyards. Its seeds have also been used medicinally to treat toothache and dermatitis topically, since it is unsuitable for internal use.

Yellow anise-tree vs. Purple Anise: What's The Difference?

Stepping into the world of horticulture, yellow anise-tree stands as a unique pick for your garden. Its aromatic, evergreen foliage offers a visual feast all year round, while the bright yellow, star-shaped flowers light up the summerscape. Interestingly, yellow anise-tree's leaves create a appealing anise aroma, a sensory delight. Despite its toxicity to humans, this plant has found admirers among numerous garden enthusiasts, appreciated for its exceptional hardiness and ability to serve as a reliable privacy screen.

Henry anise tree vs. Purple Anise: What's The Difference?

Henry anise tree (Illicium henryi) is an evergreen shrub native to Central and Western China. It has deep green foliage and flowers in colors ranging from copper pink to imperial red, integrating beautifully into its woodland habitat. The genus name, Illicium, is derived from the Latin phrase "to entice," which refers to the alluring fragrance emitted by crushing the leaves.

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Key Facts About Purple Anise

Attributes of Purple Anise

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

Plant Height

1.8 m to 3 m

Spread

1.8 m to 3 m

Fruit Color

Brown

Green

Copper

Yellow

Gold

Stem Color

Gray

Silver

Brown

Leaf type

Evergreen

The Toxicity of Purple Anise

Highly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Purple Anise

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Austrobaileya, anises, and allies

Family

Schisandra

Genus

Star anise

Species

Purple Anise (Illicium floridanum)

Learn More About the Purple Anise

Distribution Map of Purple Anise

Purple Anise is a plant with roots primarily in the southeastern region of North America. It has also been introduced and cultivated in various temperate areas outside its native range, where it is appreciated for ornamental purposes. The plant enjoys a diversified habitat in cultivation, markedly beyond its original geographic confines.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Purple Anise

A Comprehensive Guide to Purple Anise How to Grow and Care for Purple Anise