This aquatic perennial is 30-150 cm tall. Depending on the habitat – primarily on the depth – the arrowhead may develop three types of leaves. In the shallows and on the shore, the plant grows overwater leaves granting the name to the species. These shallow water arrowheads usually flower in July. The triquetrous peduncle supports floors of three-flower whorls. The flowers have three white petals with a maroon spot and three sepals. The flowers are pollinated by overwater insects.
The plant settling in greater depths has yellow-green semi-transparent leaves, resembling thin silk ribbons. Such plants never flower. Sometimes, arrowheads develop floating rounded leaves with an arrow-shaped base and long stalks. All three types of leaves almost never occur in one plant.
This is a widespread and common species of water bodies and bogs, flowering June to September.
Bulbs developing in the fall on the tips of subterraneous shoots contain starch, and are edible when baked.
By the fall, the fruits of the arrowhead form, which float well due to the contained air. Currents and winds transport them over long distances.
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