Its specific epithet rediviva ("revived, reborn") refers to its ability to regenerate from dry and seemingly dead roots.

The very short flower stems are leafless, 1–3 centimetres (3⁄8–1+1⁄8 in) tall, bearing at the tip a whorl of 5–6 linear bracts which are 5–10 mm long.

[2] The plant is native to western North America from low to moderate elevations on grassland, open bushland, forest in dry rocky or gravelly soils.

[8] Native American names include spetlum/sp̓eƛ̓m̓ or spetlem ("hand-peeled"), nakamtcu (Ktanxa: naqam¢u),[9] and mo'ôtáa-heséeo'ôtse (Cheyenne, "black medicine").

[11] The Lemhi Shoshone believed the small red core found in the upper taproot had special powers, notably being able to stop a bear attack.

The specimens he brought back were identified and given their scientific name, Lewisia rediviva, by a German-American botanist, Frederick Pursh.