This species with a strictly Mediterranean, mainly western distribution is present in Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria, Sardinia, Apulia, Calabria and Sicily (since a long-time not reported from Campania). It grows in open garrigue vegetation on in maquis degraded by fire, on acidic soils deriving from siliceous substrates, from sea level to about 600 m, with optimum in the Mediterranean belt. The species sporadically occurs in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with dry grasslands and Mediterranean garrigues. The genus name is derived from the Latin word 'tuber' (tuber); the species name refers to the fact that this species, unlike most of the other congeneric species, is a perennial plant with stems which are slightly woody at the base. Flowering period: April to May.

Italian name(s): Fior gallinaccio maggiore (Italia), Tuberaria legnosa (Italia).