Illicium verum is a medium-sized native
evergreen tree of northeast
Vietnam and southwest China. A spice commonly called
star anise,
star anise seed,
Chinese star anise or
badiam that closely resembles
anise in flavor is obtained from the star-shaped
pericarp of the fruit of
Illicium velum which are harvested just before ripening. Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams. About 90% of the world's star anise crop is used for extraction of
shikimic acid, a chemical intermediate used in the synthesis of
oseltamivir.