Freshwater, scapose aquatic; tuber globose, 3-4 cm diam., with ring of long, soft roots and fibrous remains of petioles. Leaves submersed and linear, or floating with ± oblong lamina, 10-15-(25) × 3-4-(7) cm, cross-veinlets numerous, very faint; petiole varying in length with depth of water. Inflorescence white, terminal, of 2 divergent spikes exserted just above surface of water, each spike c. 6 cm long, enlarging in fruit; spathe tubular, caducous. Flowers sessile, more or less in two rows, fragrant, seated at bases of white, oblong, bract-like lateral extensions of the spike axis, each segment ± long, delicate at flowering, becoming larger, reddish and firmer at fruiting. Follicles 3-6, flask-shaped, ±1 cm long. Seeds ± 9 mm long, with green spongy outer testa.
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