Carex picta Steud.

Culms 12–35 cm. Proximal leaf blades green, 25–40 cm × 2–4.5 mm, smooth abaxially, scabrid adaxially. Inflorescences with staminate and pistillate flowers on different plants; spike 1, unisexual; pistillate spikes 30–80 × 2.5–6 mm; staminate spikes 20–50 × 4–6 mm. Pistillate scales obovate-oblong, 5.5–6.5 × 2.3–2.8 mm, proximal ones cuspidate, distal ones acuminate, awned. Staminate scales obovate-oblong, 6–7 × 1.2–3 mm, apex acuminate to cuspidate. Perigynia yellow-green, 3.5–5.5 × 1.3–1.7 mm, apex acute, sparsely pubescent towards black apex, beakless.

Ala., Ind., Ky., La., Miss., Tenn.

Fruiting spring.

Forests and forest openings; 100–500m.