C. aenea of Michigan Flora.

Dry open sandy or rocky ground, cut- and burned-over forests, roadsides, less often in moist ground; may perist briefly in forested areas before being shaded out.

This is a successional species generally appearing out of the seed bank after soil disturbance or fire; the graceful nodding coppery or reddish brown inflorescences are a characteristic feature of disturbed sandy soils in northern Michigan. The continues to produce inflorescences throughout the summer, and late inflorescences may be quite congested and otherwise abnormal. See brief notes under Carex adusta.