Definition of star anise in English English dictionary
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
An aromatic eastern Asian evergreen tree (Illicium verum) having purple-red flowers and starlike clusters of anise-scented fruit
small shrubby tree of Japan and Taiwan; flowers are not fragrant small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a carminative