This annual plant with a Mediterranean distribution is present in all regions of Italy except in Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia. It grows in dry grasslands and in openings of garrigue vegetation, on acid sandy soils that are dry summer, mostly on siliceous substrates, from sea level to the lower montane belt. The species sporadically appears in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with dry grasslands. The genus name is derived from the Latin 'tuber' (tuber); the species name derives from the Latin 'gutta' (drop), referring to the dark spot on the petals. Flowering period: March to May.

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