Thin blades of lush foliage emerge in early Spring from the crowns and are soon joined by a column of tall, thin inflorescences. The inflorescences expand and sway in the Spring breezes, but quickly constrict to form narrow shafts of fruiting stalks, which peak in their buff-colored ornamental appeal in late Summer to early Fall, then slowly shatter throughout the remainder of Autumn and Winter.

This native perennial plant is about 2-3' tall, forming tight tufts of leaves and flowering culms. Yellow Fox Sedge is attractive because of its yellow spikelets of flowers and compact tufts of fine leaves. It is similar in appearance to the common Carex vulponoidea (Fox Sedge). Habitats include wet to moist prairies, prairie swales, swamps, fens and seeps, borders of ponds, ditches, and abandoned fields. This species can be found at both disturbed and higher quality sites.

Short sedge of dry woodlands and fields. Flower spikelets bloom from May through July. Provides food for waterfowl.