These oceanic herbs grow underwater and have creeping stoloniferous stems and leafy nodes.

[3] The fruit is included in the bract surrounding the inflorescence (the spathe) and crowned by a beak.

[3] This genus is widespread in tropical waters, the distribution range also extends to subtropical and temperate waters primarily the Indian and Pacific Oceans but also the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas and the Gulf of Mexico.

[1] It is found growing off the coasts of Africa, India, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

[3] The Latin specific epithet halophila refers to salt loving.