illicium

Il*li"ci*um, n. Etym: [So called, in allusion to its aroma, from L. illicium an allurement.] (Bot.) Defn: 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.

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