Anise is an annual herb native to Egypt and the Mediterranean region. Its flowers bloom at the top of a round, grooved stem. Blooms in the summer. ( RIEH ) An annual growing 1-2 feet high with an erect, round, grooved, smooth stem and woody root. Leaves at the base are thick, coarse-toothed an pinnately divided; the leaflets are oval with toothed edges. The bright green upper leaves are smaller, feathery, delicate and pinnately divided. Tiny white to yellow-white blossoms July-August grow in umbrellalike clusters. The downy brown seedlike fruits (August-September) are ovate, flattened and 1/8 inch long and produce the essential oil for which this licorice-smelling herb is noted.