This species with a mainly northern European Atlantic (sub-Atlantic) distribution is also present in the regions of the Po Valley, from Piedmont to Veneto. The life-cycle can be spent part in water, part on moist to dry soil. It grows in stagnant and slowly flowing waters, from sea level to about 500 m. In Sardinia it was found exclusively in the temporary pond of Sos Fungarones (Olmedo). The genus name is that of a plant mentioned by Pliny and comes from the Greek 'elate' (fir), in reference to the similarity of the submerged leaves of some species to the needles of the fir tree; the species name derives from Greek as well, meaning 'with 6 stamens'. Flowering period: June to September.

Italian name(s): Elatine esandra (Italia), Pepe d'acqua a sei stami (Italia).