Perennial ryegrass is a widely distributed grass species, native to a vast region covering parts of Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa. It is notably cultivated for various purposes, which indicates extensive human-mediated distribution beyond its indigenous range. The plant has been introduced to multiple continents, including Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, and is sometimes thought to be invasive in certain areas, such as New Zealand, where it may have an impact on local ecosystems.