Illicium
Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1042, 1050, 1370. 1759.
Leaves sometimes appearing whorled at ends of branches. Flowers erect to drooping; peduncle smooth to rugulose; perianth white, yellow, yellow-green, pink, or red to maroon, often glandular; outer tepals often bractlike and reduced, sometimes ciliolate, inner tepals often much larger and ligulate, sometimes only slightly larger and broadly obtuse, innermost often reduced, sometimes transitional to stamens; pistils orbicular to deltoid, styles narrow and acute, often recurved. Fruits dark brown, woody to leathery at maturity; peduncle sometimes thickened. Seeds glossy, dark brown to tawny or golden. x = 13, 14.
Distribution
North America, West Indies, Central America, and ne South America
Discussion
Species 42 (2 in the flora).
Selected References
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Flowers 2.5-5 cm diam.; tepals 21-33, inner tepals ligulate, red-maroon, rarely white or pink; leaf apex acute to acuminate. | Illicium floridanum |
| 1 | Flowers 0.8-1.2 cm diam.; tepals 11-16, inner tepals orbiculate-obovate, yellow-green; leaf apex obtuse to rounded. | Illicium parviflorum |