Common Name: Florida anise tree
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Schisandraceae
Zone: 7 to 10
Height: 4.00 to 6.00 feet
Spread: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Red
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Rain Garden
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Leaf: Fragrant, Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Heavy Shade, Erosion, Wet Soil
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-10 where it is easily grown in moist, well-draining soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers acidic soils. May tolerate full sun as long as soils are kept uniformly moist. Spreads by root suckers.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Illicium floridanum, commonly called purple anise or Florida anise, is an upright, rounded, aromatic, evergreen shrub that grows to 6-10' tall. It is native to the eastern United States where it can be found growing in wet soils in low hammocks, wooded ravines, marshy areas and stream peripheries from northern Florida and Georgia along the coastal plain to Louisiana. Smooth, glossy, elliptic, dark olive-green leaves (to 6" long) emit an anise-like aroma when crushed. Nodding, dark red flowers (to 2" diameter), each with 20-30 strap-shaped petals, bloom in spring (April-May). Flower aroma is malodorous. Fruit is a star-shaped cluster of follicles.
Genus name comes from the Latin name illicium meaning "allurement" or "inducement" from the enticing aromatic scent of the foliage.
Specific epithet means of Florida.
'JCJC' is a compact selection of Florida anise that features dark red blooms with a pleasant fragrance and obovate foliage. Mature plants will reach 4-6' tall with a 3-4' spread and dense, rounded growth habit. Commonly sold at nurseries and garden centers under the name MISS SCARLETT. US plant patent PP24640 applies to this cultivar.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Evergreen shrub for moist, shady locations.