Nardus stricta is native to
Eurasia (from
Iceland and the
Azores to
Mongolia),
North Africa (
Algeria,
Morocco), and northeastern North America (
Greenland, eastern
Canada, and the northeastern
United States).
Nardus stricta 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 , 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.{{cite journal|author1=Brynmor Thomas |author2=C. B. Fairbairn |year=1956 |title=The white bent (
Nardus stricta): its composition, digestibility and probable nutritive value It flowers from June until August.
Apomixis is found to be common in this plant, with extensive colonies often proving to be a single clone. ==Description==