anise plant
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A flowering plant (Pimpinella anisum) of the parsley family, cultivated primarily for its aromatic seeds, which are used as a spice and for extracting an essential oil.
Usage
The term "anise plant" refers specifically to the herbaceous plant itself, distinguishing it from its seeds (aniseed) or flavor. It is used in botanical, culinary, and agricultural contexts. * The anise plant produces small white flowers in umbrella-like clusters. * To harvest aniseed, you must first grow the anise plant. * This recipe calls for seeds from the anise plant.
Advanced Usage
- Cultivation Note: The phrase is often used when discussing horticulture, as in "The anise plant requires well-drained soil and full sun."
- Botanical Distinction: It specifies the source plant to differentiate it from other plants with similar flavors, like star anise (), which is from a different botanical family.
Variants and Related Words
- Anise (noun): Often used interchangeably with "anise plant," but can also refer more broadly to the spice or flavor.
- Aniseed (noun): Specifically refers to the dried seed of the anise plant, used as a spice.
- Anisic (adjective): Relating to or derived from anise.
Synonyms
- Pimpinella anisum (noun): The botanical Latin name for the plant.
Related Phrases
- Cultivate anise: To grow the anise plant.
- Oil of anise: The essential oil distilled from the seeds of the anise plant.
Noun
- native to Egypt but cultivated widely for its aromatic seeds and the oil from them used medicinally and as a flavoring in cookery