The Collaborative International Dictionary
Illicium \Il*li"ci*um\, n. [So called, in allusion to its aroma, from L. illicium an allurement.] (Bot.) A genus of Asiatic and American magnoliaceous trees, having star-shaped fruit; star anise. The fruit of Illicium anisatum is used as a spice in India, and its oil is largely used in Europe for flavoring cordials, being almost identical with true oil of anise.
Badian \Ba"di*an\, n. [F. badiane, fr. Per. b[=a]di[=a]n anise.] (Bot.) An evergreen Chinese shrub of the Magnolia family ( Illicium anisatum), and its aromatic seeds; Chinese anise; star anise.
Wikipedia
Illicium anisatum, with common names Japanese star anise, aniseed tree, and sacred anise tree, known in Japan as , is a tree closely related to the Chinese star anise. 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 highly considered sacred by Buddhists, due to its ability to last freshly after pruning.
I. anisatum is native to Japan. It is similar to I. verum (Chinese star anise), but its fruit is smaller and with weaker odor, which is said to be more similar to cardamom than to anise. While it is poisonous and therefore unsuitable for using internally, it is used for treatment of some skin problems in traditional Chinese medicine.
Usage examples of "illicium anisatum".
Oil of Anise, distilled in Europe from the fruits of Pimpinella anisum, Anise, and in China from the fruits of Illicium anisatum, Star Anise, a small tree indigenous to China, is colourless, or very pale yellow, with taste and odour like the fruit.