Usually in rich beech-maple forests, moist oak or oak-hickory forests, or other moist forests and thickets; rarely in nearby open meadows.

The spikes and perigynia are similar to Carex blanda, but the peduncled staminate spikes, with staminate scales typically reddish-brown tinted (rather than greenish as typical for C. blanda) allow field recognition. The reddish-purple tinting at the base of the plant is often rather restricted in extent and may require a careful look.