This species is an Iberian endemic with two metapopulations separated by more than 500 km, from the Sierra de Gádor to the Iberian System, and with a very small area of occupancy (AOO <50 km²). It consists of fragmented subpopulations, some with very few individuals, subject to environmental stochasticity and with high demographic fluctuations. There is a continuing decline in the AOO, the extent and quality of habitat, and in the number of subpopulations. For all these reasons, it is assessed as Endangered [B2b(ii,iii,iv)c(iv)].

The species is endemic to the mountains of the eastern half of the Iberian Peninsula. It was described from the Sierra de Gádor, where it occurs in different locations. It has subsequently been located in the Iberian System, and several populations are known in the north of Guadalajara, Zaragoza and Soria (García et al. 2019). Its extent of occurrence covers nearly 20,000 km² and its area of ​​occupation has been estimated at 40 km².

In the Sierra de Gádor, the total population ranges from 500 to 37,500 individuals, distributed among three large subpopulations. Additionally, five smaller populations exist, each comprising just a few dozen plants. Four subpopulations in Almería are believed to have disappeared. Similarly, the metapopulation in the Iberian System includes three major subpopulations (Nava Alta, Toconares, and La Zaida, the largest) and three smaller ones with fewer than 100 individuals (Tortuera, Navajo de los Centenos, and the Used water reservoir). Although new nuclei continue to appear in the Iberian System, surveys of nearby ponds have yielded no results. A small number of individuals have been introduced into the Nava del Cerro Alto (Anguita). Annual censuses show fluctuations due to the irregular dynamics of the habitat (García et al. 2019).

This hemicryptophyte inhabits clay depressions, often artificialized to promote seasonal waterlogging, which are frequently visited by livestock. It withstands trampling by cattle, high levels of nitrification, and even the freezing of the water surface, which sometimes forms over it. It can be found both on the shores of lagoons and in the basins as they dry out in summer. It shares this habitat with Polygonum aviculare, Convolvulus althaeoides, Herniaria glabra, Ceratocephala falcata, Aegilops geniculata, etc. (Mota et al. 2004, García et al. 2019).

It is mainly pollinated by wasps and hoverflies and has high rates of fruit production. The primary means of dispersal is through passive dehiscence; probably accompanied by dispersion through high wind and exozoocoria, when the seeds, mixed with mud, stick to the hooves of cattle. There are some adult specimens, in which a high mortality rate has been observed, due to a growth anomaly.

The populations are subject to various impacts on their habitats, including land clearing, modifications to the basin's topography, changes in the water table, reforestations and overgrazing (García et al. 2019). Although grazing seems essential for the survival of this species, in some cases, livestock consume almost all of the fruits (Mota et al. 2004). There is also natural fragmentation and a lack of gene flow between the two metapopulations (Martín-Herranz et al. 2016).

The species is not utilised.

This species is listed on Annexes II and IV of the Habitat Directive and on Appendix I and Revised Annex I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is included as species "En peligro de extinción" in the Spanish national catalogue of threatened species. It was listed as Critically Endangered CR B1b(iv,v)c(iv)+2b(iv,v)c(iv) in the Spanish Red List 2008 (Moreno 2008) and subsequently updated as Endangered EN B2b(iii,iv)c(iii) (García et al. 2019).

Almost all of its populations are located within the RN2000. Periodic monitoring is carried out in almost all populations. It is included in the High Peaks Recovery and Conservation Plan in Andalusia (Plan de Recuperación y Conservación de Especies de Altas Cumbres de Andalucía). Plant material is stored in the germplasm bank Banco de Germoplasma Vegetal Andaluz. A plan to strengthen the Soria plant population is underway. It is recommended to continue the demographic monitoring of all populations, assess the relationship between demographics and livestock practices, and complete the studies on genetic variability. It is also important to restore some lagoons where the plant was present in the past and drain lagoons clogged by erosion caused by livestock. Additionally, it is crucial to coordinate a multi-regional strategy for the recovery of the species.