Formerly included in the more widely defined species Potamogeton tricarinatus under which name it is still widely known.

A submerged and floating aquatic plant with long, branching stems rooted to the base of the wetland. Thin membranous leaves are produced alternately along the stems of the submerged parts When stems reach the water's surface they begin to produce floating leaves of very different shape and texture to the submerged leaves. These leaves are hear-shaped and have a tougher, more opaque texture. Flowering stems emerge several centimeters above the surface of the water in early summer. The submerged parts resemble Potamogeton crispus and Potamogeton ochreatus but the floating leaves are distinctive. The floating leaves may be mistaken for those of Ottelia ovalifolia however this species lacks the distinctive submerged foliage.