This annual plant with a wide, almost cosmopolitan distribution is present in almost all regions of Italy (since a long time not reported from Trentino-Alto Adige and of dubious occurrence in Molise). The life-cycle can be spent part in water, part on moist to dry soil. It grows in moist sites, along ditches and edges of marshes and ponds, from sea level to about 800 m. The species is common in the intermediate and outer belts of the temporary ponds of Sardinia. The genus name derives from the Greek 'lythron' (blood), for the colour of the flowers and because in the past some species of this genus were believed to be effective in healing wounds; the species name means 'with leaves similar to those of hyssop'. Flowering period: April to September.

Italian name(s): Coreggiola dei fossi (Toscana, Val di Chiana), Coreggiola vitta (Toscana, Val di Chiana), Erba spargolina (Toscana, Val di Chiana), Litro issopifoglio (Italia), Salcerella con foglie d'Issopo (Italia), Salcerella issopifoglia (Italia).