This is widespread in wet woods or thickets across Ky. and other south-central states. A coll. from PULA (DOV) is unusually robust. The species is relatively distinct, but to quote FNA 23: "Carex albolutescens is easily confused with C. festucacea, which has orbiculate or broadly ovate, plumply plano-convex perignyia bodies, broader (usually more than 1 mm wide), more ovoid achenes, and straight or abaxial-adaxially bent styles..." There do not appear to be clear vegetative differences, but in albolutescens reported 2n = 66 (versus 68, 70).