This annual plant with a mainly north-western Mediterranean distribution is present, but generally rare, in Tuscany, Lazio, Puglia and Sardinia (no longer found in the Marche, and of dubious occurrence in Campania). It is a characteristic species of Mediterranean temporary ponds; in Sardinia it is common in the outer belt of the ponds. It grows in moist meadows along the coast and at the edges of ephemeral ponds, on soils which are flooded or wet in winter and dry in summer, from sea level to about 600 m. The genus name derives from the Greek 'eu' (good) and 'dianthes' (speckled flowers). Flowering period: April to May.

Italian name(s): Silene lieta (Italia).