Glabrous, rhizomatous, at least partly submerged perennial. Stems erect, 10–70 cm, usually simple. Leaves linear, sessile, 1–5 cm long, 6- to 12-whorled; nodes closer together on emerged portion of stem. Flowers sessile, solitary in leaf axils, perfect; calyx green, tubular; petals absent; style 1; stamen 1; ovary elliptic, ca. 1 mm long. Fruit 1-seeded achene, 1.5–2 mm long, enclosed in the calyx (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).