This annual grass with a broadly Mediterranean distribution is present in all regions of Italy, but is more common in Central and Southern Italy. It grows in dry, disturbed habitats, with other steppic or ruderal plants, on primitive sub-acid soils which are dry in summer, from sea level to the montane belt (in the South up to 2000 m). The species is sporadic in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds. The genus name derives from the Greek 'kyon-kynos' (dog) and 'oura' (tail), because of the shape of the inflorescence; the species name comes from the Greek 'ekhinos' (hedgehog), referring to the long unilateral awns which give the ears the appearance of the back of a hedgehog or of a porcupine. Flowering period: May to June.

Italian name(s): Azzecca piedi (Puglia, Lecce), Cinosuro echinato (Italia), Coeta (Veneto), Coetta (Piemonte), Cojitta (Piemonte, Mondovì), Covetta (Toscana, Pisa), Covetta comune (Italia), Covetta pelosa (Lombardia), Cuvetta (Emilia-Romagna), Fenazza (Piemonte), Rizzelli (Puglia, Lecce), Ventolana (Toscana, Pisa).