ANISE (Let. anisum, anethmn, Gk. nfter, an [n]eth on , anise, dill), ( Pim pinella anisum). An annual plant of the natural order Umbellifene. The genus Pimpinella, which em braces about 75 species, found in nearly all lands but Australia, has compound umbels usually without involucres. Two species are natives of Great BritaiD: one of which, Pimpinella sax ifrage, is commonly known by the name of hornet saxifrage, and has no properties of importance. Anise is a native of Egypt and other nean regions. it is an annual plant; the stem is 1 1/2, to 2 feet high, dividing into several slender branches: the flower leaves roundish, heart slumped, divided into three lobes, and deeply cut; those of the stem pinnate, with wedge-shaped leaflets. The umbels a Ye large and loose. with yellowish-white flowers. It is much cultivated in southern Europe, Germany, especially in the district around Erfurt, where a large quantity of the seed is annually produced, South America, India, etc. Attempts were made more than 200 years ago to cultivate it in England, but the sum mers arc seldom warm enough to bring it to per fection. It is occasionally sown in gardens for
a garnish or for seasoning. Anise-seed is used as a condiment and in the preparation of liqueurs; also in medicine, as a stimulant stomachic, to re lieve flatulence, etc., particularly in infants; and it has been used in pulmonary affections. It has an aromatic, agreeable smell and a warm, sweet ish taste. It contains a volatile oil, called oil of anise, which is nearly colorless, has the odor and taste of the seed, and is employed for similar purposes. One hundredweight of seed yields about two pounds of oil, which is obtained by dis tillation; but at Erfurt the I/11 is made from the stems and leaves. Anise-water—water flavored with the oil and sugared—is much used in Italy as a cooling drink.
Star anise, or Chinese anise, is the fruit of Illicium verum. a small tree of the natural order Magri°liace:r. See Imictum.