Drawn to alluring scent of ‘Illicium’

As you walk along the pathway from the pedestrian entrance off Great King St in the Dunedin Botanic Garden there are two lush evergreen shrubs of Illicium majus with highly scented flowers. The genus Illicium takes its name from the Latin for "allurement", a reference to the enticing aromas that emanate from all parts of the plant. There are about 40 species of this evergreen shrub or tree and they are closely related to the magnolia family.

They are found naturally in the woodland mountainous regions of China, Vietnam and Myanmar, up to an altitude of 2500m.

Illicium majus has pale lemon-coloured flowers with 15-21 fleshy sepals, giving them a spidery appearance, and at 5cm they are the largest flower of the genus.

On the other side of the wall facing the rose garden is Illicium simonsii which seems to be more upright and open in growth but not as lush. They both make handsome shrubs and the flowers are followed by star anise-like (inedible) fruit clusters. These two species are purely ornamental and poisonous, whereas their subtropical cousin Illicium verum, which is not in Dunedin Botanic Garden, bears the spice we know as star anise. Other species are used in making perfume.

Illicium are occasionally seen for sale in garden outlets.

You can also see this plant on Wednesday October 16 from 5.30pm on a guided tour of the rock garden and themes collection.

Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden.

For further information contact David Askin.