Fens, calcareous shores and exposed marly flats; salt springs (historically).

The culms are flattened, and somewhat dimorphic. Fertile culms are more or less erect, terminating in a spikelet; some vegetative culms, however, elongate to 1 m long or more, these arching and  tip-rooting. The resulting loops may catch the foot of the collector, calling his attention to a plant he might otherwise overlook. See also comments under E. melanocarpa and E. tricostata.