Illicium verum is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to
northeast Vietnam and southwest China. A spice commonly
called star anise, staranise, star anise seed, star
aniseed, Chinese star anise, or badian that closely
resembles anise in flavor is obtained from the star-shaped
pericarps of the fruit of I. verum which are harvested just
before ripening. Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil
used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes,
mouthwashes, and skin creams. Until 2012, Roche
Pharmaceuticals used up to 90% of the world's annual star
anise crop to produce shikimic acid, a chemical
intermediate used in the synthesis of oseltamivir
(Tamiflu).