Culms obtusely trigonous in cross section, 15–70 cm, smooth. Leaves: ligules 1.2–3 mm, wider than long; blades yellowish green, M-shaped to flat, widest leaves 1.6–3.5(–4.2) mm wide, smooth abaxially, minutely papillose adaxially, especially distally. Inflorescences 1.8–18 cm; bract sheaths with apex concave; proximal (1–)2–3(–4) spikes pistillate, distal spikes erect, aggregated or the proximal sometimes remote, ovoid. Pistillate scales narrowly ovate, mostly 1/3–2/3 length of perigynia, apex acute. Anthers 1.1–2.7 mm. Perigynia spreading or the proximal somewhat reflexed, yellowish green, 20–26-veined, essentially uninflated, lanceolate, 8.7–12.1 × 1.3–2.1 mm, 4–7 times as long as wide, apex tapered, bidentulate; beak absent. Achenes 2.2–3 × 1.2–1.7 mm.
Phenology Fruiting
spring
mar
apr
may
summer
jun
jul
aug
Altitude range
0–1000 m;
Distribution
St. Pierre and MiquelonUSA MaineUSA Md.USA Mass.USA Mich.USA Minn.USA N.H.USA N.Y.USA Vt.USA Wis.Canada Man.Canada N.B.Canada Nfld. and Labr.Canada N.S.Canada Ont.Canada Que.Canada Sask.
Discussion
Carex michauxiana is closely related to the east Asian C. dolichocarpa C. A. Meyer ex V. I. Kreczetowicz.
