Many sedge species favor water, but the water sedge can grow in it. It is a large plant – at times over a meter tall – with long drooping leaves and a triquetrous flower stem. Somewhat similar to sedges, the gramineous have their stems round instead. There are 4-6 spikes at the tip of the stem. This sedge flowers in May – early June. The rootstalk is long and creeping. The species does not occur in tussocks.
In the upper part of the stem, there are the staminate spikes, with the pistillate below. The lower envelope leaves are taller than the inflorescence composed of separated spikes.
The stem in the water sedge is hairless. The plant grows far up north and tundra, often used as cattle fodder.
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