ðeɪ hæv lˈɔŋ kɹˈiːpɪŋ stˈɛmz ðæt ˈɔfən fˈɔːɹm dˈɛns mˈæts, ˈɔfən ɪn ænd nˌɪɹ pˈɑːndz, lˈeɪks, ɹˈɪvɚz, ænd mˈɑːɹʃᵻz, ænd sˌʌm spˈiːsiːz ɪn kˈoʊstəl ˈɛɹiəz baɪ ðə sˈiː.
They have long creeping stems that often form dense mats, often in and near ponds, lakes, rivers, and marshes, and some species in coastal areas by the sea.