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Illicium floridanum
Illicium floridanum Ellis
Florida Anisetree, Florida Anise, Anise Tree, Stinkbush
Illiciaceae (Star-Anise Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ILFL
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Florida Anisetree is much-branched, upright broadleaf evergreen shrub, 6-10 ft. high, with a compact outline. Large, lance-shaped, evergreen leaves are lustrous, dark-green above, pale beneath and very aromatic when bruised. Maroon-purple flowers occur singly and are composed of 20-30 strap-like petals. Dehiscent seed follicles, arranged in whorls, have a star-like appearance.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Aggregate , Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Red , Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Rarely white or pink.
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MSNative Distribution: FL to e. LA
Native Habitat: Moist, wooded ravines; seepage areas; swamp margins
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Description: Moist, well-drained, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: This plant requires pruning in early years to keep in shape. No serious disease or insect pests. The entire shrub has a strong, pungent odor. It sometimes self-sows.
Propagation
Description: Seeds germinate easily. Firm-wooded cuttings root well.Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Georgia Native Plant Society - Atlanta, GA
First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City - Jefferson City, TN
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
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Web Reference
Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic BotanyWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Research Literature
Reslit 534 - Photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and carbohydrate content of Illicium taxa grown under varied irradiance (2004) J. J. Griffin, T. G. Ranney and D. M. PharrReslit 400 - The flowers in extant basal angiosperms and inferences on ancestral flowers (2001) P. K. Endress
Reslit 766 - The causes of self-sterility in natural populations of the relictual angiosperm, Illicium floridanum (Illiciaceae) (2004) V. Koehl, L. B. Thien, E. G. Heij and T. L. Sage
Reslit 1025 - Photosynthetic responses of container-grown Illicium L. taxa to sun and shade (2002) R. T. Olsen, J. M. Ruter and M. W. Rieger
Reslit 1110 - Organic Matter Application Improves Posttransplant Root Growth of Three Native Woody Shrubs (2009) J. G. Price, A. N. Wright, K. M. Tilt and R. L. Bo...
Reslit 1168 - Floral ontogeny of Illicium floridanum, with emphasis on stamen and carpel development (1979) R. E. Robertson and S. C. Tucker
Reslit 1384 - Pollination biology of basal angiosperms (ANITA grade) (2009) L. B. Thien, P. Bernhardt, M. S. Devall, Z. D. Che...
Reslit 1385 - The reproductive biology of a relict Illicium floridanum Ellis (1983) L. B. Thien, D. A. White and L. Y. Yatsu
Reslit 1515 - Functional syncarpy by intercarpellary growth of pollen tubes in a primitive apocarpous angiosperm, Illicium floridanum (Illiciaceae) (1993) E. G. Williams, T. L. Sage and L. B. Thien
This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
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From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1998 VOL. 15, NO.5 - Native Shrubs Providing Landscape Heritage and Habitat, Executive Director\'s Re...Additional resources
USDA: Find Illicium floridanum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Illicium floridanum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Illicium floridanum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-06Research By: TWC Staff