Illicium anisatum

Illicium anisatum, with common names Japanese star anise, Aniseed tree, and sacred Anise tree, known in Japanese as shikimi (樒; シキミ), is an evergreen shrub or small 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 insects' aversion to them and their ability to remain fresh after pruning. The sacred anise tree is native to parts of east Asia including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. 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. 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 s......read more on Wikipedia.