Relatively frequent in swamps on sandy soils near Lake Michigan in the Lower Peninsula; uncommon and local elsewhere in swamps and cedar swamps; in at least slightly acidic soils.The collection from Washtenaw Co. mapped in Michigan Flora was an accidental mislabeling.

The entire plant is a distinctive yellowish-green color. This might seem to resemble species like Carex intumescens or C. lupulina, but is easily distinguished as it completely lacks any trace of reddish tinting at the base of the plant.