On the leaf stems of Halophila, basal sheaths are absent. Its elongated, smooth, branching rhizome has internodes. Two short scales encircle a single root and two petiolate leaves at each node. The paddle-shaped leaves have light green, transparent, elliptic to oblong leaf blades that are cuneate at the base and obtuse at the apex. The tiny unicellular hair on the leaves’ surfaces is heavily covered in hair.