This annual plant with a strictly Mediterranean, mainly western distribution, is present in Sardinia, and in all regions of the Tyrrhenian side of the Italian Peninsula, from Tuscany to Calabria. It grows in moist habitats, such as along the edges of ephemeral pools, on soil which is moist at least in winter and spring, from sea level to about 600 m. It is a characteristic species of Mediterranean temporary ponds; in Sardinia, however, it is rare and confined to the outer belt of the ponds. The genus name Lysimachia comes from Lysimachus, an ancient Greek physician; the genus name of the synonym (Anagallis) is derived from the Greek 'ana' (again) and 'agallein' (give joy), for the continuous, bright flowering; the species name in Latin means 'of plowed fields'; the name of the subspecies refers to the flowers, which are much smaller than those of the nominal subspecies. Flowering period: May to September. Syn.: Anagallis arvensis L. subsp. parviflora (Hoffmanns. & Link) Arcang., Anagallis parviflora Hoffmanns. & Link

Italian name(s): Anagallis a fiore piccolo (Italia), Anagallis parviflora (Italia), Centocchio a fiore piccolo (Italia).