Rhizomes horizontally spreading, 18-70 mm. Staminate spikes 6-14 × 0.5-1.8 mm; staminate scales 3-4 × 0.9-1.8 mm, midrib weak or strong, usually not reaching apex of scale (rarely prominent, extending to apex of scale, and finely toothed, 15X). Perigynia 2.7-3.1 × 0.8-1.1 mm; beak with apical teeth 0.2-0.4 mm. 2n = 36.
Fruiting late Mar-mid May. Dry to mesic, level areas of sandy loam, occasionally on sandy loam-clay mixtures, in partial shade of hardwood or mixed-pine forests; 10-200 m; Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tex., Va.; s to c Mexico.