Star Anise is a small to medium evergreen tree of the magnolia family. The leaves are lanceolate and the axillary flowers are yellow. The plant is star shaped, radiating between five and ten pointed boat-shaped sections which are seed pods.
Star Anise is available whole or as red-brown powder in market. The spice has carminative, stomachic, stimulant and diuretic property. It is added to meat and poultry dishes. Propagation is by seed.
