The plant is an endemic species of South China and Northern Vietnam. The largest areas grow or are cultivated in the countries of China, Laos, the Philippines, and Jamaica.

The main use of star anise is in distillation, due to the chemical substance anethole. Characteristic examples are tsipouro and ouzo.

It enhances the flavor of meats and soups, while also flavoring sweets such as cakes and cookies.

It can also be used as a decoration due to its beautiful shape.

Because of its strong flavor, in some recipes, only two petals or half of the whole may be needed to keep the taste delicate without overpowering the other seasonings.