SE US, West Indies, Central America and SE Asia. Aromatic oils are important as flavorings - star anise. The family has tepals, many numerous stamens and many free carpels as well as having highly aromatic ethereal oils. Fossil pollen in the Upper Cretaceaous. Inflorescence is small, single or rarley 2-3 axillary flowers.
Seeds are shiny with abundant endosperm.
Placentation is basal. Habit is as a shrub or small tree. Leaves are simple, entire and alternate, evergreen and glabrous. Stipules are lacking.