The Hindi name saunf properly denotes fennel , which anis is thought to be a foreign variety of and which is often used interchangeably with anis. In small dosage, it is sometimes contained in spice mixtures for sausages and stews. In the East, anis it is less known, fennel and star anis being more easily available. Anis may, substitute fennel in Northern Indian recipes, but it is a less suited substitute for star anis. Anyway, anis is an acceptable substitute for both, although tarragon is even better.
Several plants examanate an aroma comparable to that of anis.
See cicely for a larger list of anis-scented plants.