This annual grass with a wide, almost cosmopolitan distribution in arid areas of the World is present in all regions of Italy. It grows in uncultivated arid grasslands, along the edges of roads, in dry pastures and in Mediterranean garrigues, on rather primitive soils that are dry in summer, below the lower montane belt. The species sporadically appears in the outer band of the temporary ponds of Sardinia, in contact with pastures. The genus is dedicated to the German pharmacist Johann Samuel Vulpius (1760-1846); the specific name is derived from the Greek 'mys, myos' (mouse) and 'oura' (tail) and therefore means 'rat's tail', referring to the shape of the inflorescence. Flowering period: April to June.

Italian name(s): Gramigna de' greppi (Toscana), Paleo sottile (Toscana), Paléo sottile (Italia), Pei de can (Liguria, Mele), Vena salvadega (Lombardia, Como), Vulpia sottile (Italia).