Illicium griffithii is a species of flowering plant in the family Schisandraceae. It is a tree with leathery leaves, and twenty-five or twenty-six tepals on each flower. The species is native to south Asia, and was described in 1855.
Illicium griffithii is used in medicine and construction, and is listed as Endangered by the IUCN.
Taxonomy The species was described by Joseph Dalton Hooker and Thomas Thomson in 1855.
Two varieties are recognised: Illicium griffithii var. cambodianum - native to Cambodia and Vietnam Illicium griffithii var. griffithii - native to India (Assam), Cambodia, Malaysia, and Myanmar
Distribution Illicium griffithii is native to the subtropical biome of India (Assam), Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. It grows in forests at elevations of .
Illicium griffithii is found in association with Quercus lamellosa, Gamblea ciliata, Machilus robustus, and Exbucklandia populnea.
Description Illicium griffithii is an evergreen tree that grows up to high.
The leaves are leathery, oblong-elliptic to narrowly obovate-elliptic, long, and wide. The leaves grow in clusters of three to five, on stems.
The flowers have twenty-five or twenty-six tepals. The inner tepals are fleshy, oblong-obovate, long, and wide. The outer tepals are papery or thinly leathery. The flowers have around thirty stamens, and twelve or thirteen carpels. The plant flowers from April to May.
The fruit stems are long. The fruits have twelve or thirteen follicles. The seeds are around long, wide, and thick. The plant fruits from October to December.
Its generation time is twenty-eight years.
Uses The fruits are harvested for spice, and are aromatic, bitter and astringent. The fruits are also used medicinally as a carminative and a stimulant. They may be a source of shikimic acid and antibacterial chemicals.
The seeds are sold in local markets in India.
The wood is used for firewood, and is used to construct poles and beams in housing.
Conservation In 2014, the IUCN assessed Illicium griffithii as Endangered.
Nomenclature In English, Illicium griffithii is commonly known as "Himalayan star anise". In Chinese, it is known as ().
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