Perennial with creeping stems that root at the nodes and foliage that emits a mint-like odor when mowed. Primarily a weed of turfgrass and landscapes that is found in the northeastern, north-central and southern United States. Square, trailing, rooting at the nodes, mostly without hair but occasionally with short, stiff backward-pointing hairs. Opposite, nearly round in outline or sometimes kidney-shaped, on long petioles. Margins have large rounded teeth and leaf veins arise from the same point.
Rhizomes occur and fibrous roots are also produced at the base at each node of the trailing stem.