This species is endemic to Sardinia, Corsica and the neighboring islands. It grows in the beds of rivers and on uncultivated wet soils which are rather moist at least in winter and spring, from sea level to approximately 300 m. It appears sporadically also in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds. The genus name derives from the Greek 'poly' (many) and 'gony' (nodes) for the jointed stems of several species; the species name refers to the use of the plant for the construction of brooms. Flowering period: July to October.

Italian name(s): Poligono da scope (Italia).