It is native to southeastern Europe and often used as ornamental ground cover in North America.

[6] The first recorded description of the species is attributed to Giovanni Antonio Scopoli, who referred to it as Phleum autumnale in the second edition of his book, Flora Carniolica, which was published in 1771.

Friedrich Wilhelm Schultz gave the species its current name, Sesleria autumnalis in his book Archives de Flore.

It flowers in late summer, when spikelets grow in groups of three on the end of leafless stems.

[9][10] In its natural habitat, S. autumnalis is often found in wooded regions and grassy or sparsely covered areas.