Form: Submerged tufted stoloniferous aquatic perennial; stolons white or light brown, rooting at the nodes
Foliage: Eel grass has all basal, strap-shaped leaves, to 3m long and 11-35mm wide. Leaves have obtuse apex, margins finely toothed near apex, 5-7 major longitudinal nerves
Flowers: Male and female flowers are on separate plants. Both are pink or white inside, with 3 scarcely visible petals. Male flowers many within membranous sheaths near the base of the plant, the sheath opening to release the flowers, which float to the surface. Female flowers solitary within membranous sheaths, at the ends of spirally coiled stalks
Fruit: Fruit with seeds 1.5-2mm long
Habitat: Vallisneria australis grows in stationary or flowing freshwater to 7m deep on a variety of substrates, in perennial streams, dams and irrigation channels
Distinctive Features: Leaf veins run longitudinally and the leaves have tiny teeth along the margin
Similar species: This is a distinctive species that is easy to identify in the landscape
Comments: Eel-grass will grow in deep water. Susceptible to die out in water that is disturbed by introduced carp.
