Anise, Official

Pimpinella anisum

Family: Apiaceae
Annual.  Native to the orient and introduced to Europe during ancient times.  The sweet and spicy seed is a universal flavoring agent, rendering bitter and distasteful medicines acceptable.  Emmenagogue and galactagogue.  Cultivation:  Easy.  Direct seed in midspring (dislikes transplanting).  Timing of seeding is very important, as Anise is slow to germinate.  May come up sporadically if soil is too cold, and may be overcome by summer weeds if soil is too warm.  Space rows 12 inches apart.  Thin seedlings to 3 inches apart.  Grows 1 to 2 feet tall, depending on growing conditions.


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