In a disturbed northern flatwoods
Sheaths winged. Inflorescences often but not always arching from the lowest spike, lowest spike typically well-separated from the more closely packed spikes above. Perigynia with broadly cuneate bases.
The spikes here were often rounded at the base, with spreading as opposed to ascending lower perigynia, and the inflorescences weren't always arching, approaching Cx. cristatella. However, the arching and more remote inflorescences, and the presence of many spikes with lower perigynia ascending is not typical of Cx. cristatella.