Carex artitecta Mackenzie; C. emmonsii Dewey ex Torrey var. muhlenbergii (A. Gray) Rettig; C. varia Muhlenberg

Rhizomes ascending to erect, 0–5(–30) mm. Staminate spikes 8.4–11.1 × 1–1.8 mm; staminate scales from median portion of spike 2.9–3.7 × 1–1.4 mm, with weak or strong midrib usually not reaching apex of scale, usually without teeth on midrib. Perigynia 2.5–3.3 × 0.9–1.1 mm; beak with apical teeth 0.2–0.3 mm. 2n = 36.

Fruiting mid Apr–early Jun. Mostly acidic, dry soils of sandstone and granite, also calcareous regions, wooded slopes, sandstone ridges, woodland clearings, in partial shade of deciduous forests, under cedars; 50–800 m; N.S., Ont., Que.; Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va.