Shimokuren (shi (紫) = purple; mokuren (木蓮) = magnolia) is a member of a family of magnolia trees with flowers that come in a variety of colors including white, pink, red, and yellow. Shimokuren flowers are always purple. The tree came to Japan from China. It can grow 2 to 4 meters in height and blooms around March and April. Full grown flowers have 6 petals, are about 10 centimeters or 4 inches in height, and grow on the tips of branches pointing upward. The blossoms come first, followed by the leaves. The outward facing sides of petals are dark purple, and the inward facing sides are a lighter hue. The southerly facing side of buds always bulges outward. Bright red seeds form in autumn.