This annual plant with a Mediterranean-south European distribution, presently much more widespread in the temperate zones of the Globe, is present in all regions of Italy. It grows in cultivated fields, vineyards, orchards etc., sometimes in the gaps of garrigue vegetation, on moderately dry, silty-clayey, basic to neutral soils rich in nitrogen compounds, from sea level to the montane belt. The species sporadically appears on the edges of the temporary ponds of Sardinia, in contact with pastures and ruderal vegetation. In the past, the red color extracted from the thin roots was used for the dyeing of fabrics. The genus is dedicated to the English botanist W. Sherard (1659-1728); the species name in Latin means 'of the plowed fields'. Flowering period: April to August.

Italian name(s): Sherardia (Italia), Toccamano (Toscana, Montespertoli), Toccamano (Italia), Toccamanu (Sardegna).