Chinese star-anise

Illicium verum Hook.f.

Illicium verum is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to South China and northeast Vietnam. It is known for its star-shaped pericarp fruits, which are used as a spice similar to anise. The primary production areas are China, followed by Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. The oil extracted from the fruit is used in cooking, perfumery, and personal care products. Historically, up to 90% of the world's annual crop was used by Roche Pharmaceuticals for the production of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) until 2012, when the company switched to a genetically modified E. coli process.

Description

Illicium verum belongs to the Schisandraceae family and is distributed in BR, TW, Cambodia, China South-Central, China Southeast, and Vietnam. The plant was first described in 1888 by Hook.f. The spice derived from its fruit is widely used in culinary and commercial applications due to its aromatic properties. Before the development of a synthetic alternative, the fruit was a key ingredient in the production of the antiviral drug Tamiflu.