This annual grass with a Mediterranean-Atlantic distribution is present, but not common, in all regions of Italy except in the Valle d'Aosta, Lombardy, and Trentino-Alto Adige. It grows in uncultivated sites, in thickets and in open herbaceous vegetation, below the lower montane belt. The species is sporadic on the edge of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with dry meadows. The genus name is the diminutive of the Greek 'gaster' (belly) in reference to the swollen glumes; the species name as well derives from Latin with the same meaning. Flowering period: May to July.

Italian name(s): Codino maggiore (Italia), Gastridio (Italia).