Usually in dry sandy ± open aspen, pine, or oak savannas or barrens; in sterile, acidic soils and often in fire influenced habitats. Very local southward.

Only occasionally growing with C. pensylvanica. Generally a coarser, stiffer plant than C. pensylvanica, with the culm scabrous below the inflorescence, but not always safely distinguishable without mature perigynia.