This is a perennial, semi-aquatic plant. It forms a vigorous mat of floating, hollow stems and upright leaves growing from a point on a muddy bank of wetlands, creeks and rivers. The stems seem to die back in winter, re-emerging and growing vigorously in warm months. It has a finely 'crisped' leaf edge. It appears to be relatively shy in flowering. Flowers, encased in coloured bracts like other Rumex species, are clustered in leaf-axils on upright stems. Some introduced Rumex species (R. crispus, R. conglomeratus, R. obtusifolia, and R. pulchellus) are found in similar habitats but are readily distinguished on account of their being upright, annual or biennial herbs arising from a rosette and lacking floating, hollow stems.