This species with a south European-Eurasian distribution is present in all the regions of Central and Northern Italy (except in the Valle d'Aosta), in Abruzzo, Puglia and Sardinia (not found in recent times in Campania). It grows in periodically flooded sites along the banks of streams and ponds, in vegetations dominated by amphibian sedges, in wet meadows, on moist to periodically flooded, basic but sometimes decalcified, often trampled soils, from sea level to about 800 m (sometimes even higher, up to 1470 m). In the temporary ponds of Sardinia the species is very rare; it has been reported from two sites only: Pond of Bara (Macomer), and Paule Longa (Ghilarza). The plant, which was once used as a drastic medicine, it is highly toxic. The genus name derives from the Latin 'gratia Dei' (God's grace), the ancient name of the plant, which was revered for its medicinal properties; the species name, from the Latin word 'officina' (pharmacy), refers to its medicinal properties as well. Flowering period: June to August.

Italian name(s): Carlot (Piemonte), Erb spurga (Piemonte), Erba di poveromu (Sicilia), Erba purga (Piemonte), Folietta (Piemonte), Grasieta (Piemonte), Grasioela (Lombardia, Brescia), Grasiolina (Piemonte), Grassiadei (Piemonte), Grassiola (Piemonte), Grassioseta (Piemonte), Grassiousa (Piemonte), Grassiousina (Piemonte), Gratiella (antichi), Gratiola (Toscana), Grazia Dei (Toscana), Graziella (Italia), Grazioela (Lombardia, Valtellina), Graziola (Toscana), Graziola (Italia), Gruinale (antichi), Isopo campestre (Toscana), Maza caval (Emilia-Romagna, Romagna), Solietta (Piemonte, Pianezza), Stanca ronzino (Emilia-Romagna, Parma), Stancabò (antichi), Stancacavaddi (Sicilia), Stancacavalli (Italia), Stancacavallo (antichi), Stracheciaval (Friuli), Tossicaria (Toscana, Val di Chiana), Tostiarea (Emilia-Romagna, Parma).