Aniseed, also known as octagonal anise (aniseed), is the fruit of the anise tree. It is named after the eight aniseed fruits. Also called star anise and anise, it is a seasoning spice.

Star anise has a sweet taste, contains volatile oil, and has a strong and special aroma.

Distribution range:

Grown in humid and warm valleys in the subtropics. Distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan and other provinces and regions. It is cultivated in Taiwan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou, Yunnan, Zhejiang and other provinces and regions. Among them, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region ranks first in the country in octagonal output and is the hometown of octagonal.

Extended information:

Morphological characteristics of octagonal trees

The octagonal tree is an evergreen tree, 10-20m high. The bark is gray to reddish brown with irregular cracks. The branches are dense and extend radially. Single leaves alternate or 3-6 clusters on the top of branches; petioles are stout, about 1cm long; leaves are leathery, oblong or elliptical-lanceolate, 6-12cm long, 2-4cm wide, apex acuminate or acute. The base is wedge-shaped, entire edge, dark green above, shiny and oily, light green below, sparsely pubescent. Flowers bisexual, solitary in leaf axils, tepals 7-12, several whorls, arranged in imbricate shape, inner whorls pink;

stamens 11-19, arranged in 1-2 whorls; carpel 8 -9, Li Sheng. Aggregate fruit, mostly composed of 8 follicles arranged radially into an octagonal shape, 3.5-4cm in diameter, reddish brown, woody; the apex of the follicles is blunt or blunt, and will crack along the abdominal suture when mature. Seed 1, flat ovate, bright brown. The flowering period is spring and autumn, from early autumn to the following spring.

Baidu Encyclopedia—Aniseed