This species with a wide Eurasian-Mediterranean distribution is present in all regions of Italy. It grows in swamps and along the edges of ponds, often forming dominant populations along the banks of lakes and in depressions with fluctuating water levels, on mainly alkaline soils which are often salty and sometimes disturbed, from sea level to about 600 m. In the temporary ponds of Sardinia it is sporadic (eg. Paule Longa, Ghilarza). The genus name derives from the Greek 'bolbos' (bulb) and 'schoinos' (reed), and therefore means 'bulbous reed'; the species name refers to the maritime habitat. Flowering period: June to September.

Italian name(s): Broj (Emilia-Romagna, Romagna), Careza (Veneto, M. Baldo), Erva a quadriello (Puglia, Barletta), Giunco sfrangiato (Toscana), Leschetta dij mois (Piemonte), Lisca marittima (Italia), Mosca (Italia), Mosca (Veneto, Verona), Nocco (Toscana), Paera. Triangoli (Veneto, Verona), Porri (Veneto, Verona), Porri (Italia), Puretta (Piemonte), Sparaella (Veneto, Verona), Triangoli (Italia), Trongello (Toscana), Trungiael (Emilia-Romagna, Bologna), Zifareddu (Sicilia).