Submerged, rhizomatous annual or perennial; turions formed in some ephemeral habitats; stems not always obvious, to 20 (–40) cm long. Leaves 5–15 cm long, usually less than 0.5 mm wide; apex obtuse or acute. Inflorescence presented at water surface for pollination on peduncle usually less than 1 m long; peduncle coiling after pollination, pulling developing fruits below surface. Flowers 2, with (2–) 8 (–16) carpels. Carpels initially subsessile; stipe lengthening as carpel matures until much longer than carpel. Fruiting carpels slightly asymmetric, 2–3 mm long, with an elliptic or narrowly elliptic perforation on each side.
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