Thus small hillocks of debris are found, a spineflower in the core; possibly this is the advantageous form of germinating at least the source location into a second generation.

In the eastern Colorado Desert the plant can be found in any major wash in mid spring following at least moderate winter rains.

The Chorizanthe rigida plant, is a short, erect and sometimes single-stalked, but multi-stalked to 5 stalks or more, 2.5-2.5–6.0 inches (1–2 dm) in height.

It has a main taproot, mostly longer than the plant is tall, taking advantage of the rainfall's ground moisture.

The devil's spineflower is extremely conspicuous when growing in its bright new green; when desiccated its spiny skeleton is blackish, dark gray, or of medium browns and blends in easily to the desert background ground colors.