Aquatic floating perennial from rhizomes with distinctive purple stems and leaf undersurfaces. All submerged portions of the plant are also covered in a jelly-like substance. Primarily a weed of poorly-managed lakes or ponds that most commonly occurs in water up to about 5 feet deep. Watershield is found in the eastern United States from Florida to Canada, and also in Oregon and California.
Leaves are green and shiny on the upper surface and purple on the lower surface.
The undersides of the leaves are covered with a thick, jelly-like substance. Leaves occur on petioles that range from 4 to 12 inches in length. Purple, branched, and may reach 6 feet in length. All submerged stems are covered with a jelly-like substance. Horizontal rhizomes that are rooted in the soil below.