This species with a strictly Mediterranean distribution is present in Liguria, in Emilia-Romagna, and in all regions of peninsular and insular Italy. It grows in dry fields, in olive groves, in openings of evergreen Mediterranean garrigues, on soils which are dry in summer, below the montane belt. The species is sporadic in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with Mediterranean scrub, grassland and garrigue vegetation. The genus name derives from the Greek 'leon' (lion) and 'odon' (tooth), because of the sharply toothed margin of the leaves of some species; the species name refers to the spindle-shaped, swollen roots. Flowering period: October to June.

Italian name(s): Bune donne (Liguria, Chiavari), Capparozzolo (Toscana), Cicoria costantinopolitana (antichi), Coscia di vecchia (Sicilia, Etna), Dente de mu (Liguria, Vado, Valleggia), Dente di leone tuberoso (Italia), Iscila (Sicilia, Modica), Jeraciù (Sicilia), Lattughedda (Sicilia , CT - Ragalna), Leontodon tuberoso (Italia), Mustazzuolu (Sicilia, Modica), Occhiu di pinnici (Sicilia , CT-Castiglione), Occhiu pinnici (Sicilia, CT - Randazzo), Pisciacane cipollino (Toscana, Val di Chiana), Ramponci (Liguria, Bordighera), Rampunsi (Liguria, Bardineto), Rampussi (Liguria, Savona).