Conservatory Chronicles: The Wet-Dog Bush Blooms at Matthaei

The Florida anise (Illicium floridanum) is currently blooming in the Temperate House of the Conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. I. floridanum is a U.S. native evergreen tree that is related to star anise (Illicium vernum), which is used in Asian cooking. Unlike star anise, however, Florida anise is toxic and cannot be eaten or used as a substitute for star anise.

Not just another pretty face, beyond its vivid red flowers Florida anise holds some surprises.

It’s also called “stinkwood” or wet-dog bush because the flowers have a disagreeable, fishy smell. The crushed leaves however do have a citrus or anise-seed aroma. But the leaves are toxic for human consumption, so it’s not a substitute for the related star anise. Florida anise is now listed as endangered in Georgia, one of the four southern U.S. states in which it is native, to according to the USDA.

The related star anise, used in some Asian cuisines, contains the same substance as the botanically unrelated aniseed (Pimpinella anisum ), which is commonly used in western cooking. Star anise (I. verum) is the major source of the chemical shikimic acid, which is used to synthesize the anti-influenza drug found in Tamiflu. 

Confused? 

Florida anise: pretty but toxic

Star anise: edible fruit used in ASian cooking

Aniseed: Edible seed used in western cuisine

What would we do without plants?!