An aquatic annual weed that is submersed and has the overall appearance of a 'coon's tail'. This weed is capable of forming large colonies in fairly deep water of lakes and ponds and is found throughout the southeastern United States. All parts of the plant, including the leaves, are rough to the touch. Leaves are submersed, finely dissected, and occur in whorls of 5 or more.
Individual leaves are linear in outline, to inch long, and are toothed along one margin only.
Leaves become more and more crowded toward the stem tip. Rough feeling, branched, reaching 15 feet or more in length. Stems are either floating free or attached to the substrate below via rhizoids. Flowers are inconspicuous and have no sepals and petals. Flowers also remain submersed throughout the year.