Roots simple, cord-like, 1-2 mm thick with constrictions c. 1 mm spaced. Leaves submerged, long, linear, strongly crisped, glaucous, 15-25 by 0.75-1.25 cm, gradually decurrent into the petiole and continuing itself as a broad wing on either side of the midrib; margin very fine-serrulate, apex rounded; midrib very thick, broadening towards the base, on either side 1-2 parallel nerves c. 1-2 mm distant from the margin, united at the apex, connected by parallel cross-veins, ascending under an angle of 70°-90°, 1-5 mm spaced; petiole sulcate, 10-15 cm, broad, sheathing at the base. Peduncle 50-100 cm, perhaps longer, ribbed, pale green, with longitudinal air-channels. Spathe elliptic, 2.5-3.5 by 1 cm, with 6 longitudinal, entire ribs, at the top with 6 acute, dentate-serrate lobes. Female spathe with 1 sessile flower, ♂ one with up to 10 pedicelled flowers; pedicels slender, up to 10 cm. Sepals elliptic to ovate, convex, obtuse, with 5 nerves, 6-11 by 4-6 mm; those of the female flowers more linear, to 15 mm after anthesis, often split at the top. Petals white, obovate, unguiculate, c. 3 times as large as the sepals, c. 20 mm. Stamens 12; filaments 3-4 mm; anthers linear, yellow, bilocular, 2-2.5 by 1/3-1/2 mm. Stylodia (in ♂ flower) 3, filiform. Ovary lanceolate, gradually narrowing to the top, with 3 conspicuous longitudinal ridges; styles not seen. Fruit lanceolate to elliptic, 2.5 cm long, with 3 longitudinal ridges and a short acuminate rostrum. Seeds fusiform, 2 by 0.5 mm.