The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Illicium \Il*li"ci*um\, n. [So called, in allusion to its aroma,
   from L. illicium an allurement.] (Bot.)
   A genus of Asiatic and American magnoliaceous trees, having
   star-shaped fruit; star anise. The fruit of Illicium
   anisatum is used as a spice in India, and its oil is largely
   used in Europe for flavoring cordials, being almost identical
   with true oil of anise.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Illicium
    n 1: anise trees: evergreen trees with aromatic leaves [syn:
         Illicium, genus Illicium]