It is native to Eurasia and much of North America including most of Canada and the United States.

It is a very common wetland plant across the American Midwest and areas west.

This sedge produces triangular, hollow stems 30 to 120 centimeters tall.

The leaves are hairy, especially on the lower parts, and the leaf sheath is tinted with reddish purple.

The tip of each fruit has two or more long, thin teeth.