ILLICIUM ANISATUM. L. Star anise tree.
Badian-i-khatai, . ARAD. Chinese anise, . . Bso. Mvai-hiang, . . CHIN. Skimmi, . . . JAPAN. Ta-hwui-hiang,. . „ San-Id, . . MANILLA.
Pah-koh-hwut-hiang, „ Anasi pu,. . . . Tali. Anne phal, Dont., HIND. I Menai mogga, . . TEL. Aniseed tree, . . ENa.
The star anise tree is a native of the countries extending from lat. 23i° to 35° N., or from Canton to Japan. The designation star is applied to the fruit from the manner in which they grow, the pods being in small clusters, joined together at one end, and diverging in five rays. They are prized for the volatile oil obtained from them, and for their aromatic taste. The barks have a more aromatic flavour than the seeds, but they are not so sweet. In China, their most common use is to season sweet dishes. In Japan they are placed on the tombs of friends, and presented as offerings in the temples. They are chiefly ex ported direct to India, England, and the north of Europe, at the average value of 81 dollars per pikul. In India they are used in seasoning curries and flavouring native dishes; and large quantities are used in Europe in the preparation of liqueurs.
The capsules constitute in India a rather im portant article of commerce, and are sold in all the bazars. Both capsules and seeds evolve a powerful odour of anise ; the taste is similar, very mild, sweet, and somewhat acidulous. The cap sules and seeds abound in an essential. oil, easily procured by distillation with water ; this oil is rather brown, lighter than water, more difficultly congealed than the true aniseed oil, but in other respects exactly of the same properties. The powdered capsules are used by the Mahomedan practitioners as stimulant carminatives. For the colics of children, the essential oil is given with advantage. The tree might be introduced into India.—O'Shough. ; Thunberg's Tr. iii. p. 227 ; Morrison's Comp. &mut.; Simmonds ; Faulkner; O'Sh. Beng. Phar. p. 412 ; Boyle, a B. p. 58.