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Sedge sprites are among the smallest of all damselfly species with slender abdomens and a total length less than 3 cm (Westfall and May 1996). Generally, they are metallic green with no post-ocular spots (pale-coloured markings just behind eyes, characteristic of many damselflies) (Walker 1953). Male sedge sprites are fairly easy to recognize due to the blue colour of the terminal two and a half abdominal segments with paired dark spots on the terminal two segments (Walker 1953). Females are very similar to males but the two terminal abdominal segments are each dark with a blue band (Westfall and May 1996). Females exhibit two colour and pattern morphs, one similar to the male and one with green and yellow colouration (Lajeunesse and Forbes 2003). The sedge sprite is of similar size and colouration to some species from the forktail genus (Ischnura) but differ in that forktails have obvious postocular spots (Acorn 2004). Larvae, like the adults, are small and slender. They are green or brown and have no obvious markings (Walker 1953). Identifying characters include spots on and below the margins of the gills and a dozen small spines on each side of the head towards the back (Westfall and May 1996). They are found at the base of dense, aquatic vegetation in habitats where adults fly (Westfall and May 1996). At the genus level, sprite larvae have one prominent (sometimes a second, but never none) bristle on either side of the upper lip just above the mandibles; although this character separates them from forktails it is not particular to sprites (De Marmels 1984).

Specific life history information on sedge sprites is sparse, however general damselfly literature is abundant. Generally, eggs are laid in aquatic plant tissue above or below the water's surface where the female cuts the tissue with her ovipositor blades. For sedge sprites, floating, dead plant material may be preferable (Walker 1953). The female sedge sprite oviposits horizontally with the male still attached by his claspers to her thorax, positioned at a 45° angle to the female (Walker 1953). The female deposits one or sometimes several eggs into each cut; eggs are spindle shaped (Westfall and May 1996). Oviposition occurs in mid to late summer for sedge sprites (Walker 1953). Length of embryonic development varies greatly and may depend on water temperature but larvae often hatch after several weeks to just over a month after oviposition (Walker 1953). Larvae develop through a series of stages (instars) where they grow progressively larger. Sedge sprites over-winter as larvae and are fully grown by early spring (Walker 1953). Larvae will emerge from the water to become adults in early summer. Adults may disperse away from the water to feed and mature. They return to the wetlands upon sexual maturity to search for mates, at which time males are most visible darting in and around the vegetation (Westfall and May 1996). However, sedge sprites will avoid flying over open water and thus are generally inconspicuous (Walker 1953).

Recorded in all Canadian provinces and territories except the Yukon but more northerly records are likely rare and not found in alpine regions (Westfall and May 1996, Acorn 2004). Found in most eastern and mid-west states as far south as Illinois and Maryland but only in the north part of western states.