This annual grass with a wide palaeo-subtropical distribution is present in North-Eastern Italy, in Emilia-Romagna and in almost all regions of Central and Southern Italy (missing in Umbria and Molise and not reported in recent times from Liguria and Abruzzo). It grows in brackish areas along the coasts, on muddy, more less saline soils. In Sardinia it was found only in small temporary ponds, in contact with brackish water on the island of La Maddalena. The genus name derives from the Greek 'kryptos' (hidden) in reference to the fact that the inflorescence is hidden by the leaf sheaths; the species name refers to the upper leaves, which tend to become rigid and almost prickly. Flowering period: July to September.

Italian name(s): Brignolo spinoso (Italia), Crypsis aculeata (Italia).