Carex varia Muhlenberg var. australis L. H. Bailey, Bot. Gaz. 17: 153. 1892; C. emmonsii Dewey ex Torrey var. australis (L. H. Bailey) Rettig; C. physorhyncha Liebmann

Rhizomes horizontally spreading, 18–70 mm. Staminate spikes 6–14 × 0.5–1.8 mm; staminate scales 3–4 × 0.9–1.8 mm, midrib weak or strong, usually not reaching apex of scale (rarely prominent, extending to apex of scale, and finely toothed, 15X). Perigynia 2.7–3.1 × 0.8–1.1 mm; beak with apical teeth 0.2–0.4 mm. 2n = 36.

Fruiting late Mar–mid May. Dry to mesic, level areas of sandy loam, occasionally on sandy loam-clay mixtures, in partial shade of hardwood or mixed-pine forests; 10–200 m; Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tex., Va.; s to c Mexico.