This evergreen sedge belongs to Sect. Laxiflorae. Its members have broad leaves and loose sheaths on the short-lived culms (culms shriveling soon after maturity of fruit and before development of new leaves). Leaf blades are more than 1 cm broad. Sheaths subtending each of remote pistillate spikes have short purplish scale-like blades. The dark purple staminate spike at the top of the culm is peduncled. Photo taken in western Massachusetts