Pursh provides a detailed description of the species in Latin. In addition to the preserved specimen, he also had access to live material, grown from the still living roots, taken from one of Lewis's specimens, and raised by Bernard M'Mahon in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, Pursh reports, "some accident happened" and the plant died before it produced flowers. Lewis first saw and described the plant in detail on 22 Aug 1805 (Moulton, 1988: 143-144). Lewis probably made the collection on 2 Jul 1806 (Moulton, 1993: 79-80) rather than 1 Jul as given on the label. The lectotype was collected at or near Travelers' Rest, which is along Lolo Creek near its confluence with the Bitterroot River in Missoula Co., Montana. Lewisia rediviva is the type of Lewisia Pursh (Fl. Amer. Sept.: 360. Dec (sero) 1813), named for Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809), co-captain with Clark of the expedition. (The Lewis & Clark Herbarium Digital Imagery Study Set, ANSP, 2002) On deposit at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia Collected by:Meriwether Lewis & William Clark Collection date:07/01/1806