Cuban Anise (Anis, Anison)

[ferdzy]

I recently returned from a trip to Cuba. While there, I was served a dish garnished with what the waitress said was "anis". Everybody I subsequently asked about this agreed that anis was a common garden herb, but I was unable to find anyone who was actually growing it in the short amount of time that I had.

This was NOT pimpinella anisum, which is what I have always called anise. This looked more like a member of the tagetes (marigold) family. I have been able to find exactly one picture of what appears to be this plant on line, but it is mislabelled as pimpinella anisum. Does anyone out there know that this actually is?

[blueadzuki]

This looks a possibility

link

[flowerweaver]

I think Blue is correct. I have grown an upright form of this in the past and it is used in Mexico as an herb. Here in my part of Texas we call it Mexican Mint Marigold.

[ferdzy]

Yes! Thank you, blueadzuki and flowerweaver. The name yerbaniz is particularly suggestive. I did not find it mint-like or tarragon-like, but the Cubans may have a particularly anise-like strain. Or my sample size was very small... well yes; 3 little pieces...

Richters does sell seeds for tagetes lucida. I shall check it out and see how it does here.

[steev]

Interesting.

Lucky you to have been to Cuba.

[ferdzy]

Ha, yes steev, Americans think Cuba is amazingly exotic and forbidden. Canadians think it is the cheapest winter beach vacation you can get, and bonus! No Americans.

I'm surprised you couldn't hear the groans and cries of dismay when from where you are when the U.S/Cuban relationship started to warm up. I've had more than one tour guide promise that they will still love us (Cdns) once the Americans come, but we Canadians are pretty sure that it's cream-pot love and we won't be able to compete. Or even get a room.

[steev]

Jan 20, 2016 10:12:05 GMT -5 ferdzy said:

Ha, yes bonus! No Americans.

Aw.