Florida or Purple Anise Tree               i-LISS-i-um (il-LIK-ee-um) flor-i-DA-num

• Broadleaf evergreen shrub, to 6-10 ft tall and wide (1.8-3 m).  Leaves alternate (may appear whorled), simple, leathery, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 6-15 cm long, about half as wide, highly aromatic when bruised, tip pointed, base wedge-shaped, margin entire, glabrous, dark green above and paler below; higly aromatic (offensive) when crushed, petiole reddish purple, 1-2 cm long.  Flowers purple, nodding, 3-5 cm across, 20-30 petals, each 1.5-2 cm long, scent unpleasant.  Fruit star-shaped, 2.5- 3 cm long, seeds smooth, lustrous.
• Part shade.  Best in moist, high organic soil.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 6     Native to Florida and Louisiana.
• Silverton, Oregon: The Oregon Garden