This annual plant with a mainly eastern, strictly Mediterranean distribution, is present in Liguria, in Romagna and in all the regions of Central and Southern Italy except in Molise, but is more common in the Tyrrhenian regions and in Sardinia. It grows in dry fields, especially in communities of annual plants interspersed in the openings of Mediterranean garrigues, mainly on siliceous substrates, from sea level to about 900 m. The species is sporadic in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with dry grasslands and garrigue vegetation. The genus name is derived from the centaur Chiron, in Greek mythology an expert on medicinal plants; the species name refers to the fact that the species is often present along the coast, although it is not a strictly coastal species. Flowering period: April to May.

Italian name(s): Centauro marittimo (Italia).