Much like no. 163 [Carex caroliniana Schwein.]; lf-sheaths densely short-hairy all around; blades hairy to sometimes nearly glabrous above the base; pistillate scales lanceolate, often minutely pilose, long-acuminate into a cusp or awn usually protruding from the spike and often surpassing the perigynium; perigynia 2.4–3.3 mm. Moist woods, prairies, and meadows; Mass. and N.Y. to Mich. and Kans., s. to Va., Miss., and Tex.