Star Anise

The Chinese evergreen tree Illicium verum produces the fruit that is used to make the spice star anise.
It has a flavour evocative of licorice and is fittingly named for the star-shaped pods from which the spice seeds are extracted.
Although the two spices are unrelated, star anise and anise are sometimes mistaken because of similarities in their flavours and names.
Star anise is well-known for its therapeutic properties in addition to its distinctive flavour and culinary uses.