The pygmy rush is an annual species with a Mediterranean-Atlantic distribution, present in Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia. The life-cycle can be spent part in water, part on moist to dry soil. It grows along the edges of ephemeral pools and marshes, on moist, sandy soils, from sea level to about 700 m. It is a characteristic species of the Mediterranean temporary ponds of Sardinia, common in the outer belt. The genus name, from the Latin 'iúngere' (to join, to tie), refers to the ancient use of weaving the stems and leaves of rush species to create different objects; the species name refers to the small size of the plant. Flowering period: April to May.

Italian name(s): Giunco pigmeo (Italia).