Leaves are small, kidney-shaped to heart shaped with a purple-red underside. It is free floating or sometimes rooted in shallow water. It is often found amongst cattails. It has a single white flower with 3 round petals and a yellow center.
Concerns: Dense mats can form preventing nutrients and light from reaching submerged vegetation. When the mats die off in the fall, the resulting decrease in oxygen can cause fish and other organisms to die. The dense mats can impede boat traffic and movement of wildlife.