Clausena sanki

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A small tree 3 to 6 m high. The leaves are alternate and 20 to 30 cm long. They are compound with 7 to 11 leaflets with sides of unequal lengths. They are pointed at the tip and 5 to 11 cm long. They have a toothed edge. The leaves have a smell when crushed. The flowers are greenish white, smell and are 8 mm across. They are borne in loose irregular flower arrangements 15 to 20 cm long. The fruit are round and pale yellow. They are 1-1.4 cm across. There are 1-4 seeds.

There are about 23-30 Clausena species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are widely distributed in some places in the Philippines. They occur from northern Luzon to Bataan and Mindanao in forests at low and medium altitudes. It grows in rainforests and up to 1,500 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves provide an anis-like odour used in the preparation of alcoholic drinks. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The fruit are eaten fresh. The fruit are also used for jam.

Edible parts

Spice, fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Anis, Danglais, Kayumanis, Klausena anis

Synonyms

Clausena anisum-olens (Blanco) Merr.; Clausena emarginata C. C.Huang; Clausena grandifolia Merr.; Clausena laxiflora Quisumb. & Merr.; Clausena loheri Merr.; Clausena todayensis Elmer; Clausena warburgii G. Perkins; Cookia anisum-olens Blanco;