Bought it about 12 years ago from local native plant nursery because I wanted something aromatic. It turns out that the only aroma is when a leaf is torn. Two days ago, I noticed many swirls of leaves had a red fringy flower in the center - that fell off when touched. I looked around for a source of these fragile flowers that seemed dropped from the sky. Had to find it online to see that it does bloom. I had no "winter" in my yard this year (and none last year).

Illicium floridanum - Florida Anisetree, Florida Anise, Anise Tree, Stinkbush

The description in the link does not reflect my plant in their "growing conditions". Mine is in not in moist or rich soil. It is a nice dark green landscape plant, needing no attention other than water during droughts. But it didn't grow "6-12 feet high" ... maybe 3 feet high. Perhaps because it is planted in full shade?