A common sedge of forests, especially beech-maple, moist oak or oak-hickory stands, edges of forest ponds or streams, and mixed swamps; northward, also in coniferous swamps (cedar, fir, spruce, tamarack), particularly along trails and clearings, and at borders of bogs.

When grazed subtly, probably by deer, the terminal spike may have the pistillate portion excised, leaving one to rely on the beakless perigynia for field recognition.