Creeping rush is primarily found in ditches and along the edges of ponds and lakes. Tufted when growing out of the water, but bright green and forming whorls of leaves at the nodes in submersed plants.
All leaves are linear in outline.
In submersed plants, stems root at the nodes. Plants growing in moist soil and out of the water may range from 2 to 8 inches in height. Occur in heads at the ends of stems. The whorled, linear leaves and submersed or tufted growth habit helps to distinguish this weed from most other aquatic weed species.