This sedge is an aquatic or shore plant which can most often be found in peat bogs in mountains.

It is widely distributed across North America and northern Eurasia.

Carex limosa has a large rhizome and hairy roots.

It produces a stem which is generally just under half a meter in height and has a few basal leaves which are long and threadlike.

Some spikelets may have both male and female parts, however.