Assiniboinensis: Answers to key questions in Sedges (Carex) of Saskatchewan, Fascicle 3, Flora of Saskatchewan by Anna Leighton leading to this species. The answers are in the order you would normally work through the key. 

	Stigmas 3; achenes three-sided, occasionally terete, though their shape may be concealed by flattened perigynia. NOT [Stigmas 2; achenes lenticular.]
	Spikes 2 or more per culm, terminal and lateral; spike bracts present on lateral spikes (except in Section Phyllostachyae), lowest bract usually evident, often conspicuous.  NOT [Spikes 1 per culm, terminal; spikes bracts absent.]
	Lower pistillate scales not bract-like or leaf-like but similar in size and shape to individual perigynia (up to twice as long as perigynia in C. magellanica ssp. irrigua). NOT [Lower pistillate scales resembling green, leaf-like bracts much longer and wider than individual perigynia.  Section Phyllostachyae. (C. backii, C. saximontana)]
	Perigynia sparsely to densely pubescent or puberulent (in C. pedunculata pubescence represented by very short hairs scattered near tip; in some species of Sect. Acrocystis, perigynia may be glabrous or virtually hairless, but all members of this section have convexly 3-sided to terete achenes with tight-fitting perigynia and a stipe-like base about equal to beak in length).  NOT [Perigynia glabrous (i.e. lacking a pubescence).]
	Perigynia 5-7 mm long with beak as long as or longer than perigynium body; pubescence on the perigynia dense, stiff and pointing toward tip. NOT [Perigynia usually less than 5 mm long but if longer, beak distinctly shorter than perigynium body; pubescence various.]