It has a pan-European distribution occurring widely in base-rich sub-alpine areas.

The variety hibernica Pugsley has been known in Ireland since the late nineteenth century[1] where it occurs on limestone rocks and sand dunes.

It is distinct from the other Irish members of the genus in that it has a glabrous capsule, normally red-brown or bronze coloured foliage and un-contiguous leaf teeth.

Webb & Scannell in their flora of the Burren[4] found that it was closely associated with Thymus praecox and suggest that it may be a specific hemiparasite of this species.

schoenicola is instead thought to be a specific hemiparasite of the sedge Schoenus ferrugineus.