Mexcian Anise-tree 'Aztec Fire' is a pyramidal evergreen shrub with handsome dark glossy green foliage. This landscape gem is a first cousin to the more commonly known Florida anise. Unique to this cultivar, it produces burgundy-colored flowers. 'Aztec Fire' will grow in full sun but really thrives in partial shade. It needs wet or constantly moist soil to thrive. Give this Mexican native plenty of room to grow. Typically, this shrub will reach a height of 8 feet and a width of 6 feet. Best of all, it has a natural pyramidal growth habit. An evergreen beauty, 'Aztec Fire' is best used in a large shrub border. Plants also will fit nicely into a naturalized landscape planting. One interesting note: anise shrubs grown in full sun will possess lighter green foliage than those grown in partial shade. Consider this showstopper for your home landscape. Some people find the odor of the flowers objectionable. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Illicium . More information on Illicium floridanum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCamellia Winter GroupIllicium floridanumIllicium floridanum 'Swamp Hobbit'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Poisonous; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Leathery; Rubbery; Smooth; Waxy
Leaf value
Fragrant; Long-lasting
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
2" across fragrant, showy dark burgundy colored flowers bloom from spring through fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Play value
Fragrance
Food & Medicine
Edibility
All species and cultivars of Illicium, except for I. verum (Chinese Star Anise), have varying levels of toxicity.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Rain Garden; Shade Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Hedge; Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy; Specimen