This perennial freshwater-plant is native in the south of the USA, but was spread into many tropical areas. The plant grows submerged from rhizomes with upright green, brittle stems and two kinds of leaves: submerged very finely divided and next to those floating on the water linear leaves. It flowers with white little flowers on stalks arising from the stem-tips. In good, warm, bright conditions it may grow very fast. Good, non-winterhardy, pond- and aquarium-plant. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable as well.
