It is found in damp grassland usually on calcareous soils, fens and meadows.

The species epithet palustris is Latin for "of the marsh" and indicates its common habitat.

It has no stolons, and emits a pleasant aromatic smell when bruised.

The leaves are linear, 10 to 20 cm long, rounded on the lower side, deeply grooved on the other.

Triglochin maritima (sea arrowgrass) is similar but has the following differences: it has stolons, is stouter, has fleshier leaves not furrowed above and is not very aromatic.