Illicium

Illicium, sole genus of plant belonging to the family Illiciales, of the illiciales order. Comprised of 42 species, illicium is a group of trees and shrubs with evergreen leaves and bisexual flowers. The inner petals of the illicium flowers grade into stamens, or male, structures, while the female portion of the flower is usually located at its base and consists of 7 to 15 carpels (ovule-bearing structures). The name illicium means allurement in Latin, and probably alludes to the pleasant aroma of the illicium flower.