View source for Syzygium anisatum

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Syzygium anisatum''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Myrtales]]
| familia = [[Myrtaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Syzygium]]''
| species = ''S. anisatum''
| binomial = ''Syzygium anisatum''
| binomial_authority = (Vickery) Craven & Biffen
}}

''Syzygium anisatum'' (formerly ''Backhousia anisata'' and ''Anetholea anisata''), or '''Aniseed Myrtle''', or '''Ringwood''' is an Australian [[rainforest]] tree with an aromatic leaf that has a similar essential oil profile to true [[aniseed]]. The leaf is used as a bushfood [[spice]] and distilled for the [[essential oil]].

The aniseed myrtle tree has a dense crown and grows up to 45 metres. The leaves are 6-12 cm long with prominently wavey margins and aniseed aroma. Flowers are white and sweetly scented, borne in panicles. The fruit are dry papery capsules 5 mm long.

Aniseed myrtle's natural distribution in the wild is restricted to the Nambucca and Bellinger Valleys in the subtropics of Eastern [[Australia]]. Aniseed myrtle has also been commercially cultivated in plantations since the mid 1990's to meet a boutique demand for spice and essential oil. 

==Essential Oil==

The essential oil of aniseed myrtle contains [[anethole]] and [[methyl chavicol]], which impart aniseed and licorice flavours respectively. The high anethole [[chemotype]] is generally considered more desirable for [[flavouring]] and can be propagated from cutting to provide consistent essential oil quality. However, it is essential to screen for the presence of cis-anethole, as against trans-anethole, since the cis form is regarded as [[carcinogenic]] while trans-anethole is GRAS (generally regarded as safe).

==References:==

Floyd, A.G., ''Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia'', ISBN 0-909605-57-2.


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[[Category:Bushfood]]
[[Category:Myrtaceae]]
[[Category:Myrtales of Australia]]
[[Category:Trees of Australia]]