Illicium majus
A classy shrub/small tree with mid green evergreen leaves and in spring covered with many multi petalled flowers. The flowers are the largest of the Illicium genera and are prominent on the tree from a distance.
Several Illicium are very closely related by looks and these need careful study. Chemical analysis and DNA testing may be required. I do not presume to be an expert.
In nature this is a tree up to 20 metres high. The tallest I have seen in NZ is about 6 metres.
The leavers are arranged in false whorls on the branchlets. They are about 5-15cm long, 1.5 -4.5cm wide and oblong lanceolate shaped with a prominent midrib below.
Flowers appear in the leaf axils just below the growing tip of the branchlets in groups of 2-4. These large showy flowers arrive in very late winter and early spring. The multipetalled flowers are about 5cm across and a pale lemon colour.
Found naturally in China, Vietnam and Myanmar
Several Illicium are very closely related by looks and these need careful study. Chemical analysis and DNA testing may be required. I do not presume to be an expert.
In nature this is a tree up to 20 metres high. The tallest I have seen in NZ is about 6 metres.
The leavers are arranged in false whorls on the branchlets. They are about 5-15cm long, 1.5 -4.5cm wide and oblong lanceolate shaped with a prominent midrib below.
Flowers appear in the leaf axils just below the growing tip of the branchlets in groups of 2-4. These large showy flowers arrive in very late winter and early spring. The multipetalled flowers are about 5cm across and a pale lemon colour.
Found naturally in China, Vietnam and Myanmar