This association of poor fens is dominated by Carex rostrata and Sphagnum recurvum s. l. Other species of water-saturated habitats, such as Equisetum fluviatile and Menyanthes trifoliata, are also frequent. Occasionally, species with a boreal distribution (e.g. Carex chordorrhiza and C. limosa) may occur. This vegetation type is frequently found on fishpond and lake margins, in bog laggs and in floating fens. It may also occur in fen grasslands cut for hay. Concentrations of calcium are usually very low, while concentrations of iron are high. Peat depth may reach more than 1 m. The association is quite common in mire complexes on non-calcareous bedrock in the submontane and montane areas of the Czech Republic.