Yellow anisetree
Illicium parviflorum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Yellow anisetree (Illicium parviflorum) is a perennial shrub native to FL. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw flies and beetles.
Toxicity unknown
Yellow anisetree (Illicium parviflorum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
shade
Water
high
Size
96"–180" H × 72"–144" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
FL
Pollinators
flies, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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A dense upright evergreen with olive-green leathery leaves that smell of anise when crushed, and small inconspicuous yellow-green flowers. It forms a fast solid screen in shade and wet soil and takes hard shearing.
Growing Yellow anisetree
Grow Yellow anisetree in shade and high water. Mature plants reach 96 to 180 inches tall and spread 72 to 144 inches wide.
Wildlife value
One of the few evergreen screening shrubs for deep shade and saturated ground, giving year-round bird cover.
Common questions
- How much sun does Yellow anisetree need?
- Yellow anisetree grows best in shade conditions.
- When does Yellow anisetree bloom?
- Yellow anisetree blooms in May and June.
- Where is Yellow anisetree native?
- Yellow anisetree (Illicium parviflorum) is native to FL, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Yellow anisetree attract?
- Yellow anisetree draws flies and beetles.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Yellow anisetree? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz