This biannual plant, endemic to the Sardinian-Corsican System (Camarda, 2006), was erroneously reported also from Molise and the Marche. It grows in ruderal environments, in uncultivated, disturbed grasslands and pastures, in landfills, along the roads, below the lower montane belt. The species sporadically appears on the edge of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with ruderal vegetation. The genus name derives from the Greek 'dipsa' (thirst), because of the leaves which are fused together at the base to form a sort of tank where rain water accumulates; the species name refers to the strong prickles. Flowering period: May to August.

Italian name(s): Canna de morai (Sardegna, Iglesias), Canna urpina (Sardegna, Macomer), Cima de pastori, (Sardegna), Dipsaco feroce (Italia), Scardaccione spinosissimo (Italia).