Medium sized shrub. Leaves elliptic to obovate 5-10 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, tapered at the base, tip more or less rounded, smelling of aniseed when crushed. Flowers axillary, stalked, unpleasant-smelling; spring to summer. Perianth segments 17-24, cream, strap-like. Stamens 17-25. Carpels 8-10.

The most commonly cultivated species in SE Australia.

Japan, Korea

Foliage smelling of aniseed; flowers white to yellow.

 VIC: Melbourne (Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Herb Garden).

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Illiciaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.