The leaves of this "classic" sedge sometimes exceed the stems in length. The male spikel is the brown, narrow structure above the cylindrical female spike. The perigynia (the sack surrounding the seeds) is greenish.

This tufted sedge is one of the most common Carex species at the Park. It grows from low to subalpine elevations, in wet meadows, along streams, and lakeshores.

The flowers are opening in this photo, taken near Sunrise Lake near the shore. This is variety lipocarpa.