Anise is an herbaceous annual plant growing to 3 ft (0.91 m) tall. The leaves at the base of the plant are simple, 0.5–2 in (1.3–5.1 cm) long and shallowly lobed, while leaves higher on the stems are feathery pinnate, divided into numerous leaves. The flowers are white, approximately 3 mm diameter, produced in dense umbels. The fruit is an oblong dryschizocarp, 3 - 5 mm long. It is these seedpods that are referred to as "aniseed".

Anise is used as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species (butterflies and moths), including the lime-speck pugand wormwood pug Anise is used a mild antiparasitic and its leaves can be used to treat digestive problems, relieve toothache, and its essential oil to treat lice and scabies.Anise can be used to relieve menstrual cramps. aniseed essential oil is used to treat colds and flu.