Rhizomes ascending to erect, 0-5(-30) mm. Staminate spikes 8.4-11.1 × 1-1.8 mm; staminate scales from median portion of spike 2.9-3.7 × 1-1.4 mm, with weak or strong midrib usually not reaching apex of scale, usually without teeth on midrib. Perigynia 2.5-3.3 × 0.9-1.1 mm; beak with apical teeth 0.2-0.3 mm. 2n = 36. Fruiting mid Apr-early Jun. Mostly acidic, dry soils of sandstone and granite, also calcareous regions, wooded slopes, sandstone ridges, woodland clearings, in partial shade of deciduous forests, under cedars; 50-800 m; N.S., Ont., Que.; Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va.