Stems terete, little branched. Submersed leaves linear-lanceolate, 4–12 cm × 5–12 mm; stipules 15–35 mm long, not closely sheathing. Floating leaves (often lacking) short-petiolate; blades oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic, reddish, 4–7 cm long. Spikes to 13 cm long, continuous. Tepals green Shallow, fresh or alkaline water of ponds, lakes; valleys, montane becoming reddish, 2–3 mm long. Fruits 3–4 mm long, keeled with a curved beak (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).