Snail-seed pondweed is a submergent aquatic forb, 10-25cm tall, with a stalkless inflorescence and dimorphic spikes dimorphic. Submerged spikes are 1.5-7mm and globular to ellipsoid, emergent spikes ellipsoid to cylindric and 3-14mm. Its fruits are greenish brown achenes, papillate, and 1-2mm. The underwater leaves are sessile and 1.5-11cm, floating leaves have petioles, up to 2cm long, and are opposite.
It is distinguished from P diversifolius by its narrower leaves.