This emergent aquatic plant belongs to the same family as arrowhead. Leaves which form under water are ribbon-like and rot away, while those which form above water are elliptical, up to 10 inches long, and have long stalks. The tiny flowers are in a whorl-like formation, each on a very long stalk, and have 3 white petals.

This plant has had a number of medicinal uses among Native Americans and a similar species has been used in China as a diuretic.