Its real leaves arise from the base of the plant. T his submersed plant is rooted. Common waterweed occurs in streams, ponds, and lakes. T he slender stems of Egeria are usually a foot or two long, but can be much longer. The leaf margins have very fine saw teeth that require a magnifying lens to see.
Leaves occur in whorls of three to six around the stem.
The flowers are on short stalks about one inch above the water. C ommon waterweed may be confused with hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata . This exotic nuisance grows in all types of freshwaters. W ater hyacinths vary in size from a few inches to over three feet tall. They have showy lavender flowers .