star anise

n 1: small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented

star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a

carminative [syn: {Chinese anise}, {Illicium verum}]

2: small shrubby tree of Japan and Taiwan; flowers are not

fragrant [syn: {Illicium anisatum}]

3: anise-scented star-shaped fruit or seed used in Oriental

cooking and medicine [syn: {Chinese anise}, {star aniseed}]