Northern Africa, temperate Asia and Europe.
Africa
Northern Africa: Algeria
Asia-Temperate
Caucasus: Armenia; Azerbaijan; Georgia; Russian Federation - Dagestan
Siberia: Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia - Eastern Siberia
Western Asia: Turkey
Europe
East Europe: Belarus; Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania; Russian Federation-European part - European part; Ukraine
Middle Europe: Austria; Belgium; Czech Republic; Germany; Hungary; Netherlands; Poland; Slovakia; Switzerland
Northern Europe: Denmark; Finland; Ireland; Norway; Sweden; United Kingdom
Southeastern Europe: Albania; Bulgaria; Croatia; Greece; Italy; Romania; Serbia; Slovenia
Southwestern Europe: France; Portugal; Spain
Nardus stricta, matgrass, moor matgrass, or nard grass, is a densely tufted, tough, wiry bunchgrass perennial plant species belonging to the grass family Poaceae. Its native range includes Britain and northern temperate regions of Europe and Western Asia. It is the only species in the genus Nardus. It is doubtfully native in North America and has been introduced to other parts of the world with suitable habitats including New Zealand. It occurs on heath, moorland, hills, and mountains on nutrient poor acidic sandy to peaty soils and is strongly calcifuge, avoiding calcareous soils. It can occur from low elevations to over 1000 m, becoming a community dominant in late snow patches on mountains. Nardus stricta may also become a dominant species in habitats grazed by cattle or sheep because it is tough and unpalatable (GBIF).
Used as a turf grass in golf courses in Southern California. Also used in erosion control in coastal zones because it is tolerant to salt spray.