Water Shield is an aquatic, smooth perennial with rhizomes. Its preferred habitat is lakes, ponds, marshes and slow moving streams. distribution is throughout the Escambia region.

The leaves are alternate, floating, consisting of one whole part, long-stalked and coated with mucilage below the water surface. Leaf shape is nearly round with the leaf stalk attached at the center.

The flowers are solitary at the tip of the stem, arising from the leaf axil. Each flower is bisexual in nature and symmetrical in form; three sepals; three petals. The perianth is purple. Stamens number 12 to 20. Flowers occur in mid-summer.

Fruit is a nut-like.