{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Article","headline":"Illicium parviflorum Care Guide","description":"

The hardy anise shrub is a large, upright, dense, evergreen shrub or small tree in the Schisandraceae (starvine) family. The common name refers to the licorice scent of its leaves when brushed or crushed. It is native to the lower southeastern United States and is the most cold hardy of the Illicum species. The species epithet is Latin for "small flowered."

\r\n\r\n

The plant should be grown in partial to full shade. It is moderately drought tolerant and can tolerate a range of soil types but prefers moist but well-drained soil. It has a vigorous growth rate, is easy to grow, and reaches 15 to 20 feet high and 10 to 15 feet wide with a clumping or sympodial growth habit. It blooms from May to June and may sucker to form colonies. It does not change color in the fall.

\r\n\r\n

Plant this shrub as a screen, a hedge, or along the back of a border in moist, shady areas. It also makes an excellent addition to a woodland garden or as a foundation plant. This plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer.

\r\n\r\n

Quick ID Hints:

\r\n\r\n

New leaves are soft yellow-green
Adult leaves are olive green and 2 to 4 inches long
Has unique, imbricate, green buds
Flowers are yellowish-green, have 6 to 12 petals, and are 1.5 inches wide

\r\n\r\n

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

","image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Illicium-parviflorum--Phillip-Merritt--cc-by-nc-sa-2-0.jpg","datePublished":"2025-11-18T16:36:18.254Z","dateModified":"2025-11-18T16:36:18.254Z","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The GreenThumb","url":"https://www.theofficialgreenthumb.com"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The GreenThumb","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.theofficialgreenthumb.com/logo.png"}},"mainEntity":{"@type":"Product","name":"Illicium parviflorum","description":"

\r\n\r\n

Quick ID Hints:

\r\n\r\n

New leaves are soft yellow-green
Adult leaves are olive green and 2 to 4 inches long
Has unique, imbricate, green buds
Flowers are yellowish-green, have 6 to 12 petals, and are 1.5 inches wide

\r\n\r\n

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

","category":"Plants","brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":"The GreenThumb"},"additionalProperty":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"Scientific Name","value":"Illicium parviflorum"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"Common Names","value":"Hardy Anise Shrub, Ocala Anise, Small Anise Tree, Yellow Anise Tree"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"USDA Zones","value":"7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 6a, 6b"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"Height","value":"120 to 180 feet"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"Width","value":"72 to 120 feet"}]},"breadcrumb":{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.theofficialgreenthumb.com"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Plants","item":"https://www.theofficialgreenthumb.com/plants"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Illicium parviflorum","item":"https://www.theofficialgreenthumb.com/plant/illicium-parviflorum"}]}}

Discover

Amazing Plants in North Carolina

Discover

Amazing Plants in North Carolina

Illicium parviflorum

Common Names:

Tags

Quick Facts

Distribution

Uses

Illicium parviflorum

Common Names:

Tags

Quick Facts

Distribution

Uses