[2][3] It is considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List due to its extensive range (much of North America, Europe, and Asia) with many stable populations.

[1] Broadly distributed across much of North America and Eurasia, Carex lasiocarpa is found in a variety of freshwater wetland habitats including bogs, fens, and shorelines.

The pistillate spike vaguely resembles a tiny purplish or brownish ear of corn, with many perigynia.

Where water conditions permit, such as in bays protected from waves, the species sometimes forms thick, floating mats.

[5] This particular species of Carex is important in producing distinctive plant communities along lakes and rivers throughout its range.