The annual bluegrass is a species with an originally Eurasian distribution that has presently become almost cosmopolitan in temperate areas of the Globe, present in all regions of Italy. It grows in trampled pioneer vegetation along the streets, on the edge of walls, in cultivated fields and gardens, on rather primitive, silty-clay, fresh soils rich in nitrogen compounds, from sea level to about 2000 m (rarely up to 2700 m). The species is rare in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with ruderal vegetation. The plant is sometimes used for the construction of artificial turfs. The genus name is a Greek word that means 'grass', the species name refers to the short life cycle. Flowering period: January to December.

Italian name(s): Barut (Friuli, Carnia), Erba fanetta (Liguria, Val Polcevera), Erba lutuana (Liguria, Savona), Erba per i gati (Veneto, Verona), Erba prosa (Liguria, Ponti di Nava), Fienarola annua (Italia), Fienarola annuale (Italia), Freaoea (Liguria, Leivi), Gramegna (Emilia-Romagna, Romagna), Gramegna dal stredi (Emilia-Romagna, Romagna), Gramiccia (Toscana), Gramigna delle vie (Toscana), Liunsa (Piemonte), Pajettina (Lombardia, Como), Poa annua (Italia).