Himalayan star anise

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Himalayan star anise

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Badianifera griffithii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Austrobaileyales. Finally, it resides in the family Schisandraceae and is identified by the genus Illicium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within the Asian continent. In the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is noted specifically in Assam and throughout the East Himalaya. Its range extends further into Indo-China, where it can be found in Cambodia and Vietnam. Additionally, the species is located within the Malesia region, specifically in Malaya. These diverse locations highlight the broad ecological footprint of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Illicium griffithii is defined by its preference for high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical niche. This species is specialized to inhabit montane forest ecosystems, maintaining a precise elevational range that begins at 1800 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. Within this altitudinal belt, the plant is adapted to the cooler temperatures, increased moisture levels, and distinct atmospheric conditions characteristic of high-elevation tropical or subtropical mountain ranges. Its distribution is closely tied to these specific topographical constraints, occupying stable ecological niches that support its growth and medicinal potency.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1800 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Illicium griffithii is characterized by its distinct growth form and structural habit. It presents as a woody shrub that exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, functioning as a climber without the strict necessity of external support. In terms of its ecological placement and growth strategy, the plant is strictly terrestrial rather than epiphytic, maintaining its root system within the soil to support its woody, perennial structure.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Illicium griffithii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism common among many woody angiosperms where carbon fixation occurs through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. This pathway involves the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO to form a three-carbon compound, which is a process highly dependent on efficient stomatal conductance and water availability to maintain optimal gas exchange. As a C3 plant, its metabolic efficiency is closely tied to environmental variables such as light intensity, temperature, and moisture levels, as it lacks the specialized concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. The plant's energy assimilation is driven by the conversion of light energy into chemical energy through the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, subsequently fueling the synthesis of complex organic molecules required for growth, secondary metabolite production, and structural maintenance.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Illicium griffithii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Illicium griffithii has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Gallic acid, p-Hydroxybenzoic acid.

CATECHIN

1. Scientific reports

Gallic acid

1. Scientific reports

p-Hydroxybenzoic acid

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Illicium griffithii has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.

Anticancer

1. Turkish journal of chemistry

Preparations