Illicium

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

Dirr, M. A. 1986. Hardy Illicium species display commendable attributes. Amer. Nurseryman 163: 92-100.

Jones, S. B. and N. C. Coile. 1988. The Distribution of the Vascular Flora of Georgia. Athens, Ga.

Roberts, M. L. and R. R. Haynes. 1983. Ballistic seed dispersal in Illicium (Illiciaceae). Pl. Syst. Evol. 143: 227-232.

Thien, L. B., D. A. White, and L. Y. Yatsu. 1983. The reproductive biology of a relict--Illicium floridanum Ellis. Amer. J. Bot. 70: 719-727.

Lower Taxa

Illicium floridanum, Illicium parviflorum

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