Stems terete, sometimes branched. Submersed leaves short-petiolate; blades linear-lanceolate to oblanceolate, 6–20 cm × 15–35 mm; stipules 2–6 cm long, not sheathing. Floating leaves (often absent) petiolate; blades elliptic, 3–12 cm long. Spikes stout, 2–7 cm long. Tepals green, 2–3 mm long. Fruits 3–4 mm long, keeled with a rounded beak ca. 1 mm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).