Carex hirtifolia, the pubescent sedge, is a species of sedge native to northeastern North America. It is the only species in Carex section Hirtifoliae.[1] [2] The entire plant is distinctively covered soft hairs.[3]
Plants of C. hirtifolia are shortly rhizomatous, forming loose tufts.[2] The leaves are M-shaped in cross-section,[2] and no more than 8mm wide.[3] The inflorescences comprise 2–5 spikes, the last of which is staminate (male), the others being pistillate (female) and born on stalks less than 10mm long.[2] The utricles are less than 10mm long, with a beak 0.7- long.[2]