Plant: Perennial; roots generally diffuse; stem 2-6 dm, generally unbranched, ± strigose; base often creeping or stolon-like Leaves: 2.5-8 cm, 7-20 mm wide; basal oblanceolate; cauline oblong or elliptic to lance-elliptic INFLORESCENCE: coiled, generally raceme-like, eventually ± open; bracts 0; pedicel in fruit spreading, ± = or > calyx; flowers generally in upper half of plant Flowers: calyx 3-5 mm, sparsely strigose, lobes 5, << tube, sometimes unequal, widely triangular, in fruit < 6 mm; corolla blue, limb 5-10 mm diam, abruptly spreading, flat, tube 5-appendaged at top, 5-lobed; stamens 5, included; style generally included Fruit: nutlets > 1.5 mm, ± = or < style, ovoid, ± black, marginal rim faint, smooth, shiny, scar lateral, at base, small Misc: Shallow water, wet soil, drainage ditches; 0-2000 m.