Synonym: Star Anise

Biological source: It consists of dried fruits of Pimpinella anisum belonging to family Umbelliferae.

Geographical source:

The star-anise is an evergreen tree about 4-5 m in height. Indigenous to the south-west provinces of China. The fruits are collected and the oil distilled locally in China and Vietnam.

Macroscopic characters:

Colour: Pericarp is reddish-brown, woody and only slightly wrinkled

Odour: Aromatic

Taste: Spicy

The fruits consist of eight (rarely seven or nine) one-seeded follicles. Each follicle is about l2-17 mm long. The pericarp is reddish-brown, woody and only slightly wrinkled. Each carpel has, as a rule, partly dehisced to expose the seed. The latter has a brittle shining testa and an oily kernel. The beak of each carpel is not turned upwards and the fruit stalk, which is about 3 cm long, is curved (distinction from I. religiosum).

References:

1. Trease D. & Evans W.C.: Text Book of Pharmacognosy: W.B. Saunders.

2. Tyler V. E. Brady L. R. & Robbers J. E.: Pharmacognosy; Lea Feibger, USA.

3. Wallis T. E.; Text Book of Pharmacognosy; CBS Publishers, Delhi.

4. Kokate C. K., Purohit A. P. & Gokhale S. B.: Pharmacognosy; Nirali Publications, Pune.

5. Harbone J. B.: Phytochemical Methods: A guide to modern techniques Analysis: Chapman & Hall, London.

6. Bruneton J.: Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants: Intercept Limited.