Gnawed canary grass is primarily native to regions encompassing the Mediterranean Basin, extending to the Middle East and parts of Asia. The plant is also found across various continents in both temperate and tropical zones, where it has been introduced. In certain areas, gnawed canary grass is sometimes thought to be invasive, potentially impacting local ecosystems, though its spread is limited. The reported introduced range covers continents from Europe to South America and Africa, signifying a broad yet managed presence.