The specific epithet gibba is Latin for "hump" or "swelling" – a reference to the inflated base of the lower lip of the corolla.

It forms mats of criss-crossing, branching, thread-like stolons, each growing to approximately 20 cm (8 in) or longer and 0.2–1 mm thick.

[6] Inflorescences are erect and typically emerge from the water to about 20 cm (8 in) tall, though in some cases they can be submerged and produce cleistogamous flowers.

The spur is narrowly conical or cylindrical and curves down below the flower, varying in length from being just shorter than to noticeably longer than the lower lip.

[8][9] It is considered an invasive species in Hawai'i, Australia, Japan, Brazil, New Zealand, Singapore, Serbia, Hungary and the United Kingdom.

[8][9][10] It grows in ponds and lakes or shallow water in ditches, pools, bogs, swamps, and marshes that may be still or slowly flowing.

It can sometimes be found growing in deep water but will not flower unless the inflorescences are supported near the surface by living or dead vegetation.

[11] Compared to Arabidopsis, the introns of Utricularia gibba are somewhat fewer in number per gene, and conserved cis-acting elements of its promoters are compressed.