Overview
Yellow Anise is a large evergreen Florida native shrub with olive-green foliage, small greenish-yellow flowers, and leaves that smell like licorice when crushed. It gives shaded Tampa landscapes dependable year-round structure.
Mature Size and Habit
Unpruned plants reach about 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. Slender branches form a rounded multi-stemmed canopy. Low stems sometimes root where they touch moist soil.
Best Landscape Uses
Use Yellow Anise as a tall hedge, privacy screen, windbreak, woodland specimen, or background shrub. Give it room to spread. It becomes too large for a tight foundation bed without routine pruning.
Sunlight
Partial sun and bright shade work well. Deep shade produces a more open form. Strong afternoon sun increases moisture demand during establishment.
Soil, Drainage, and Irrigation
Plant in rich soil with steady moisture and good drainage. It accepts sand, loam, clay, and acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. Water deeply during establishment. Mature plants tolerate moderate drought.
Best Planting Season for Tampa and Central Florida
Plant from fall through early spring when practical. Cooler weather limits transplant stress and supports root growth before summer heat. Year-round planting works with careful irrigation.
Pruning and Maintenance
Prune once a year to hold a hedge or screen at the intended size. Remove crossing branches and unwanted root sprouts. Let young plants develop a sound framework before tight shearing.
Wildlife Value
Small flowers support insect pollinators, and dense evergreen branches provide shelter. Deer often avoid the aromatic foliage.
Cold and Heat Sensitivity
Yellow Anise handles Tampa heat when roots receive adequate moisture. Established plants tolerate normal local winters. Prolonged drought, reflected heat, and salt exposure cause greater stress.
Safety, Roots, and Placement Warnings
Leaves and fruits are poisonous if eaten. Keep them away from children, pets, and livestock. Never use this plant as culinary star anise. Layering branches and root sprouts can widen the planting.
Invasive Concerns
This species is native to Florida and is not listed as invasive. Remove unwanted sprouts and rooted branches before they move outside the planned bed.
Helpful Resources
Review the UF/IFAS Yellow Anise profile and the Florida Native Plant Society profile.