OF ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC PLANTS. 
9 
GENUS I. 
ILLICIUM Un. THE ILLICIUM. 
Un. Syst. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 
Generic Character. — Calyx of from three to six petal-like sepals. Carpels stellately disposed, capsular, opening on the upper side, one- 
seeded. Seeds shining. Evergreen smooth shrubs, with oblong stalked coriaceous leaves. ({?. Don.) 
Description, &c. — There are three species in this genus, all of which have an agreeable aromatic smell, and 
very double flowers. The name of Illicium is said to be derived from illicio, to allure, in allusion to the very 
agi’eeable fragrance the plants give out. 
1.— ILLICIUM FLOEIDANUM Ellis. THE FLORIDA ANISEED TREE. 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag., t. 439; Lodd. Bot Cab., t. 209; and omfig. 3, in PI. 1. 
Specific Character. — Petals twenty-seven to thirty, dark purple ; outer ones oblong ; inner ones lanceolate. (0. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This plant is a native of West Florida, on the banks of the Mississippi, and it is very 
nearly hardy in British gardens. The leaves, when bruised, smell like Aniseed, and hence the popular English 
name of the plant. It was introduced in 1771. It was first kept in the stove, and thence removed to the 
greenhouse, and finally to the open air ; but it is now found that the conservatory is its proper station, as its 
flowers are much finer and more aromatic under glass than in the open air. It can only be grown in pure heath- 
soil, and, when planted in the open air, it requires protection during winter. It is an evergreen shrub, growing to 
the height of six or eight feet. 
2.— ILLICIUM ANISATUM Lin. THE CHINESE, OR YELLOW ANISEED TREE. 
Specific Character. — Petals twenty-seven to thirty, yellowish ; outer ones oblong ; inner ones linear, subulate, (fi. Don.) 
Description, &c. — There is so little botanical difference between the two species, that Linnaeus distinguished 
them merely by their colours. This kind is, however, much more fragrant than the last, though it is less 
ornamental. The capsules of the yellow Aniseed are imported from China, under the name of Chinese Anise, on 
account of the flavour they impart to certain dishes and liqueurs ; and they are more especially used for this 
purpose in France, where they form the basis of the liqueur called Anisette de Bordeaux. In Japan, bundles of 
this tree are burnt in the temples before the idols, and on the tombs of their friends. The Chinese are said to 
chew it after dinner, as a stomachic and sweetener of the breath. The Chinese and Japanese watchmen also use 
the bark, finely powdered, to measure time ; as they fill with it long, narrow tubes, which are graduated on the 
outside at regular distances. The powder is then lighted at the extremity of the tube, and, as it burns regularly 
and slowly, the watchman, when the flame has reached a certain point, rings the bell. This species is a large 
shrub or low tree. It was introduced into England in 1790. It will not live in the open air in England, but it 
grows well in a conservatory, where it will attain the height of ten feet ; but, like the other species of the genus, 
it grows very slowly. 
OTHER SPECIES OF ILLICIUM. 
ILLICIUM PARVIFLORUM Miclix. THE SMALL-FLOWERED ILLICIUM. 
This species is much hardier than either of the other kinds. It is a native of Florida, where it forms a 
compact evergreen bush, from eight to ten feet high. It was introduced into England in 1790. 
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