The forb species are diverse but scattered, and may flower poorly under intense competition with the sedges. Soils are usually composed of peat or muck. Hummocks are composed of undecayed fibrous roots and rhizomes. Sedge meadows often grade into shallow marshes, calcareous fens, wet prairies, and bogs.
Occasional fires stimulate spring growth of the sedges while setting back invading woody vegetation.
These traits are also shared with some species of Scirpus and other genera of the sedge family. Mature perigynia are usually required for positive identification of the species. There are over 150 species of Carex in Minnesota and Wisconsin, many of which are found in wetland habitats. Because they have specific habitat requirements, Carex species are good indicators of environmental conditions such as soil and water chemistry, water levels, shading, silt deposition, and floating mats. The fertile organic soils associated with sedge meadows have traditionally been used for muck farming.