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Shrub of the Thymelaeaceae family, native to China and Korea, where it grows in thickets, edges, and rocky slopes at low and medium altitudes.
It forms an upright and branched bush, reaching 50 to 100 cm in height. The leaves, lanceolate, slightly silky in their youth, appear after the flowers. These, from medium lilac to pale violet, are gathered in small lateral clusters along the still bare branches, giving them a particularly sparse and elegant appearance in early spring.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from March to April. In cultivation, it may occur slightly earlier depending on the climate.
The name genkwa is the Latinization of a Japanese word itself derived from the Chinese yuan hua (芫花), under which the plant has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, notably as a powerful purgative. All parts of the plant are toxic.
In cultivation, it requires well-drained soil, a sunny exposure, and protection against late frosts. It is delicate to transplant and prefers not to be disturbed once established.