This native perennial species is a member of the snapdragon or figwort family. The flowers are swollen and have 5 petals forming 2 lips and grow in a tight cluster at the tip of the smooth 4-sided stem. Each flower is about one inch long. The shape of the flower does suggest the head of a turtle, as the upper and notched lip arches over the 3-lobed lower lip. The lower lip is bearded with hairs at the throat. When a bee struggles to enter the tubular corolla it looks like a turtle trying to eat a bee. The flowers are generally white, but sometimes tinged in magenta or pink, especially as they age. They can be 1 to 1.5 inches long. The flower spike blooms from bottom to top.

The leaves are light green, opposite, narrow, toothed and pointed. They occur in pairs. The leaves grow 3-6 inches long. The plant grows 1-3 feet tall and is found in wet ground, often along stream banks or in thickets. The stem is stout, smooth and erect and has 4 sides. It is found throughout the eastern half of North America and every Pennsylvania County. It does well in flower gardens.

In the past the turtlehead plant has been used to create a tonic used to treat digestive disorders. It is sometimes called snakehead, turtle bloom, fish mouth, or shellflower. The blooming period is July to October.