Merrilactone A occurs naturally in Illicium merrillianum, a plant indigenous to southern China and Myanmar. The genus Illicium belongs to the family Illiciaceae and is an evergreen shrub or tree. Approximately 40 species are disjunctively distributed in eastern North America, Mexico, the West Indies, and eastern Asia. The highest concentration of species is in northern Myanmar and southern China, where nearly 35 species have been described. The fruits of the Illicium species are distinctive star-shaped follicles that have a characteristic refreshing flavour. The fruits of Illicium merrillianum also have an aromatic odor, bland taste and cause numbness of the tongue when chewed.
The only economically important product from this genus is the fruit of Illicium verum, or Chinese star anise, which is widely used as a spice for flavouring food and beverages. In contrast, the fruit of Japanese star anise, Illicium anisatum, have been known to be very toxic for several centuries.