This may be a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway. What exactly is "black anise"?

When I research anise-based lures, I see "black anise" mentioned quite a bit in both liquid lures and paste/smear lures. I've only been exposed to chinese star anise. Can someone explain the significance?

Black anise (aniseed) is a plant of the carrot family, and star anise is a tropical plant related to magnolia vines.
They are unrelated. Both produce anethole, the main volatile compound that gives them their licorice smell.