Duriuscula: Answers to key questions in Sedges (Carex) of Saskatchewan, Fascicle 3, Flora of Saskatchewan by Anna Leighton leading to this species. The answers are in the order you would normally work through the key. 

	Stigmas 2; achenes lenticular. NOT [Stigmas 3; achenes three-sided, occasionally terete, though their shape may be concealed by flattened perigynia]
	Spikes 2 or more per culm, terminal and lateral; spike bracts present on lateral spikes; lowest spike bracts usually evident, often conspicuous, even in compact heads composed of densely bunched and indistinguishable spikes (except in C. maritima, C. chordorrhiza and C. microptera).  NOT [spikes 1 per culm, terminal; spike bracts absent]
	Individual spikes distinguishable in an open inflorescence, or indistinguishable in a compact head; spikes in any one inflorescence alike in appearance due to their similar composition (i.e. all are gynecandrous, androgynous, pistillate or staminate), sessile.  NOT [Individual spikes distinguishable in an open inflorescence (densely bunched in C. bicolor); spikes in any one inflorescence either markedly different in appearance (with terminal spike staminate and lateral spikes pistillate), or subtly different in appearance (with terminal spike gynecandrous and lateral spikes pistillate), sessile or stalked]
	Culms loosely to densely cespitose (occasionally mat-forming rather than in discrete clumps); rhizomes, if present, usually short with culms arising close together along them. NOT [Culms single, or a few together, well-spaced along conspicuous rhizomes or stolons.]
	Spikes androgynous, (lateral spikes occasionally pistillate in C. prairea); if heads have indistinguishable spikes, the heads are usually oblong to elongate in shape.  NOT [Spikes gynecandrous, (terminal spikes may be staminate in SK material of C. mackenziei; pistillate or staminate spikes occur in Sect. Stellulatae, a group distinguished by spongy tissue filling lower one-third to one-half of the perigynium); if heads have indistinguishable spikes, the heads are usually +/- as wide as they are long and usually widest in middle or toward base.]
	Spikes usually more numerous, mostly overlapping, and in some species indistinguishable in a simple or compound inflorescence; beak 0.3 mm long or longer.  NOT [Spikes 2-5, widely spaced along 1.5-3 cm of culm with only upper few clustered at tip; beak a tiny tube less than 0.25 mm long.]
	Inflorescence small, 0.7-1.5 (2) cm long and to 0.7 cm wide, compact with indistinguishable spikes; leaves 0.5-1 mm wide; culms (0.4) 0.6-2.6 (4) dm high.  NOT [Inflorescence usually larger, if less than 2 cm long then leaves 2 mm wide or wider; culms in most species over 3 dm high.]