Illicium anisatum, withcommon namesJapanese star anise,^[1]Aniseed tree,^[1] andsacred Anise tree,^[1] known inJapanese asshikimi (樒, シキミ), is anevergreen shrub or small tree closely related to theChinese star anise (Illicium verum). Since it is highly toxic, the fruit is not edible; instead, the dried and powdered leaves are burned asincense in Japan. Its branches and evergreen leaves are considered highly sacred by JapaneseBuddhists^[2] due to insects' aversion to them and their ability to remain fresh afterpruning.

Shikimi Japanese Star Anise
Japanese star anise
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Order:	Austrobaileyales
Family:	Schisandraceae
Genus:	Illicium
Species:	I. anisatum
Binomial name
Illicium anisatum L.
Synonyms
Illicium JaponicumSieb.[citation needed] Illicium ReligiosumSieb. etZucc.[1]

The sacred anise tree is native to parts of east Asia includingJapan,South Korea andTaiwan.^[3][4] It normally grows between 6–15 feet (1.8–4.6 m) with leaves that are simple, arranged alternately and oval in shape and about 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.6 cm)in length.^[3] Its cream or white colored flowers have numerous petals and are clustered around the leaf axils. Its fruit is a dry follicle similar to the Chinese star anise, but toxic, smaller and with a weaker odour, reputed to be more similar to the aroma ofcardamom than to that ofanise.

Due to its poisonous nature, its seeds have been used as a fish poison as well as a natural agriculturalpesticide and to repel animals from digging the grounds of Japanese graveyards.^[5] Its seeds have also been used medicinally to treattoothache anddermatitistopically, since it is unsuitable for internal use.^[5]

Japanese star anise containsanisatin, shikimin, and shikimitoxin, which cause severe inflammation of thekidneys,urinary tract, and digestive organs.^[6] Other compounds present in toxic species ofIllicium aresafrole andeugenol, which are not present in the edible Chinese star anise and are used to identify its toxicity.Shikimic acid, a substance also present in Japanese star anise, is so-called after the plant's Japanese name.^{[citation needed]}

Due to itsmorphological similarities, it is impossible to distinguish Chinese and Japanese star anise in dried or processed form by their appearance only, and can only be unequivocally determined by using botanicalmicroscopy.^[7] This process must be done before the plants have been made into tea and dried out.^[7]

Cases ofproduct recalls have been reported when products containing star anise were found to be contaminated by Japanese anise.^[8] Cases of consumers admitted to hospital with neurological symptoms after ingesting excessive doses of star anise or smaller doses of products contaminated with Japanese anise have also occurred:^[8] In Europe, Chinese star anise tea is often used as a stress-relief tea.^[7] Cases of illness have been reported inFrance,Spain, andSwitzerland after people were reported consuming Chinese star anise teacontaminated with Japanese star anise.^[7] This contamination hospitalized many people withepilepsy,hallucinations, andnausea all as a result of the toxin anisatin, found in the Japanese star anise.^[7] In 2001, there was a largeoutbreak of toxicity in the Netherlands due to accidental contamination of a tea blend containing more than 6 different tea plants with the Japanese star anise.^[7]

Theessential oil of air-driedI. anisatum seeds obtained by hydrodistillation was analysed byGC–MS. Fifty-two components were identified in the essential oil, the main component beingeucalyptol (21.8%).^[9]

Illicium is derived fromLatin and means 'seductive'. The name is in reference to the plant's fragrance.^[10]

Anisatum means 'anise-scented'.^[10]

The sixteenth-century Chinese anthologyStrange Stories from a Chinese Studio (聊 齋 誌 異) includes a mythical story titled "The Shuimang Herb" whose titular plant is inspired byIllicium anisatum.^[11]

• Illicium floridanum
• Illicium verum