Illicium verum, commonly called star anise, star aniseed, or Chinese star anise is a spice that closely resembles anise in flavor, obtained from the star-shaped pericarp of Illicium verum, a medium sized native evergreen tree of northeast Vietnam and southwest China. The star shaped fruits are harvested just before ripening.

• Plant origin: Illicium verum Hook. f.
• Specifications: 98.0% shikimic acid test by HPLC.
• Molecular formula: C7H10O5.
• Molecular mass: 174.15.
• CAS number: 138-59-0.
• Commonly called star anise, star aniseed, or Chinese star anise.
• A spice that closely resembles anise in flavor.
• Obtained from the star-shaped pericarp of Illicium verum.
• Harvested just before ripening.