CAT-00013
Aniseed myrtle
Syzygium anisatum
Catalog fields
- Genus
- Syzygium
- Photo
- photos/CAT-00013-A.jpg
- Edible
- Yes
- layout
- single
- Habitat
- Not recorded
- Published
- Yes
- Food group
- Herb / spice
- Latin name
- Syzygium anisatum
- Fruit photo
- photos/CAT-00013-F.jpg
- Plant title
- Aniseed myrtle
- Source URLs
- https://resources.austplants.com.au/plant/anetholea-anisata/ | https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?lvl=sp&name=Anetholea~anisata&page=nswfl Open source ↗ Open source 2 ↗
- Catalogue ID
- CAT-00013
- Mature width
- Potentially 10 m+; exact garden width unverified
- Native range
- Nambucca and Bellinger valleys, northern NSW; subtropical rainforest near streams.
- Plant family
- Myrtaceae
- Supplier SKU
- BACANI
- Listing group
- Original garden variety
- Mature height
- About 10 m in gardens; to 30 m wild
- Native states
- NSW
- Original list
- Yes
- Research date
- 10/10/2026
- Research notes
- Synonyms Backhousia anisata and Anetholea anisata; range follows PlantNET rather than broader APS statement. Seasons vary with climate, location, cultivar and plant maturity.
- Evidence status
- Nursery food-use source; preparation detail review pending
- Fruiting season
- After flowering; regional timing not yet confirmed
- Background photo
- photos/CAT-00013-B.jpg
- Edible component
- Leaves for flavouring
- Flowering season
- Spring (Oct-Nov in NSW source)
- Brief description
- Evergreen rainforest tree; narrow glossy aniseed-scented leaves; cream flowers.
- Drought tolerance
- Unquantified; water during extended drought; rainforest origin.
- Preparation notes
- Culinary leaf/rhizome flavouring; use a species-specific recipe.
- Flower description
- Small white flowers in scented clusters.
- General cultivation
- General guidance (qualitative): Enriched well-drained soil; space for a tree; prune when young for density.
- Botanical description
- Not recorded
- Other botanical names
- Backhousia anisata; Anetholea anisata
- Attracts birds and bugs
- Native bees and wasps visit flowers; birds shelter in canopy.
- Flora of Australia profile
- Not recorded
- Fruit type and description
- Dry papery capsule-like fruit/schizocarp about 5 mm; not a fleshy lilly pilly berry.
- Flora of Australia citation
- Not recorded
- Flora of Australia retrieved
- Not recorded