Star anise

[Lanell]

a star-shaped fruit of an Asian plant, used as a spice in Asian cooking:

[Justin Bieber]

small shrubby tree of Japan and Taiwan; flowers are not fragrant

[Mamukcer 0]

anise-scented star-shaped fruit or seed used in Asian cooking and medicine

[Carmellabita]

Illicium verum is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to northeast Vietnam and southwest China. A spice commonly called star anise, staranise, star anise seed, star aniseed, star of anise, Chinese star anise, or badian that closely resembles anise in flavor is obtained from the star-shaped pericarps of the fruit of I. verum which are harvested just before ripening. Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams. Until 2012, when they switched to using a bacterial source, Roche Pharmaceuticals used up to 90% of the worlds annual star anise crop to produce shikimic acid, a chemical intermediate used in the synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

[sumon9999]

Star anise is a star-shaped, dark brown fruit of Chinese origin, extensively used worldwide for its culinary and medicinal properties. Named for its star-like appearance, it contains seeds that bear a strong licorice flavor. Star anise is often used in cooking, particularly in flavoring stews, soups, and baking for its sweet, aromatic note. Its also a primary ingredient in Chinese five-spice powder and Vietnamese pho. It contains shikimic acid, a compound used for creating the antiviral medication Tamiflu.

[Ashok kumar Nitharwal]

small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a carminative

[CarinMusic]

A plant, Illicium verum, used primarily for its star-shaped seed which resembles anise in scent and flavor, and which is used as a spice. Valued for its decorative shape as well as its flavor. Also used commercially as a source of shikimic acid for the production of Tamiflu.