​ILLICIUM (il-lis′ē-um), a genus of Magnoliads, tribe Wintereæ. The fruit and other parts of Illicium anisatum is used by the Chinese as a stomachic and carminative, and as a spice. The fruit yields by distillation an oil like that of anise, used chiefly in the manufacture of liquors. I. floridanum is also spicy. The fragrant seeds of I. religiosum are burnt by the Chinese in their temples.