Fruit. - The dried fruit of Illicium anisatum. China.

Characters. - The fruit consists of 8 brown, boat-shaped carpels, joined at their inner ends so as to form a star. Each contains one seed with an oily taste. The taste of the fruit is sweet and aromatic.

Composition. - It contains a volatile oil which so closely resembles that of true anise as to be officinal.

Oleum Anisi, B.P. and U.S.P. - A volatile oil distilled in Europe from anise fruit; or in China from star-anise fruit. For Preparations and Action vide Anise (p. 935).