In almost all kinds of moist open ground, as well as fens, cedar or tamarack swamps, and moist forests and thickets; mostly in calcareous soils.

Striking in its golden, rather fleshy perigynia when ripe - readily stripped for an unusual, if sparse, nutty nibble. Immature material with perigynia not yet fleshy and orange, can be difficult to distinguish from Carex garberi as any single key character can have occasional exceptions.