This species with a broadly Mediterranean distribution is present in all regions of Italy except in the Valle d'Aosta, Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige, but is more frequent in Central and Southern Italy. It grows in uncultivated arid sites with sandy soils, in waste places and along roads, from sea level to the lower montane belt (in the North it is restricted to lowland areas). The species is sporadic on the edge of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with ruderal vegetation. The genus name derives from the Greek 'echis' (snake), because of the shape of the inflorescence that is curved like the head of a snake; the species name probably refers to the broad basal leaves that are adpressed to the ground like those of the greater plantain. Flowering period: March to July.

Italian name(s): Burraina serbaggia (Calabria), Echio piantagineo (Italia), Lapazza (Sicilia, Modica), Lingua buina (Sicilia), Lingua di cani (Sicilia, Etna), Lingua di voi (Sicilia, Avola), Sucamele (Campania, Ischia), Viperina piantaginea (Italia).