This species with a strictly Mediterranean distribution is present in all regions of Central and Southern Italy, in the Islands, in Liguria, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. It grows in dry, disturbed sites, on uncultivated ground, along roadsides and in waste places, from sea level to about 1300 m (in the North it is restricted to the lowlands). The species is sporadic in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with ruderal vegetation. Leaves, young stems, and flower heads before hatching are edible. The genus name derives from the Greek 'gala' (milk) in reference to the colour of the dense white hairs covering stems and leaves; the species name as well, deriving from Latin, refers to the dense tomentum. Flowering period: April to July.

Italian name(s): Aprocchiu fimminedda (Sicilia), Bardu angioninu (Sardegna, Bosa), Batticristi (Liguria, Porto Maurizio), Cacucciulidda sarvaggia (Sicilia, Etna), Cardu biancu (Sardegna, Sarrabus), Cardu de Signorus (Sardegna, Oliastro), Cardu santu (Sardegna, Cagliari), Cardunazzu (Sicilia), Galactites tomentosa (Italia), Scarlina (Italia), Scarline (Toscana, Monte Murlo), Spina janca (Sicilia, Modica).