Stems terete, little branched. Submersed leaves petiolate; blades lanceolate, 10–20 cm × 8–20 mm; stipules 2–12 cm long, not sheathing, deciduous. Floating leaves long-petiolate; blades narrowly elliptic, 5–12 cm long. Spikes stout, 3–6 cm long, continuous. Tepals green, 1–3 mm long. Fruits 3–4 mm long, rounded on back with a short beak (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).