Pseudo-corm 3-lobed; bud scales absent. Leaves 30-70, flaccid, floating when mature, oval to flattened in transverse section, terminating abruptly in a rounded apex, 150-470 x 2-3 mm, base flaring to a 3 mm wide wing on either side of sporangia. Ligule narrowly triangular, 2.5-3.0 mm long, dark brown. Velum absent or very narrow, up to 1 mm wide. Sporangia ovate-triangular, 2.0-2.5 x 3.0-4.5 mm. Megaspores ± 0.6 mm in diameter, white, reticulate, the reticulations enclosing deep cavities with raised 'knobs' present at many of the junctions of the reticulations, proximal surface similar to the distal surface.

wormaldii: this species was first found by Mr. W.H. Wormald in Queen's Park, East London in 1893.

Temporary pools and streams or as a perennially submerged in slow-flowing rivers, rooting in mud below water level.

See African distribution.

South Africa.

Terrestrial.