[2] Hyparrhenia filipendula has a widespread native distribution, in semiarid Africa, Papuasia and Australia.

It has been introduced into Sri Lanka, parts of Southeast Asia and Indonesia.

[1][3] It is an important component of acacia savannas with 900–1,000 millimetres (35–39 in) of annual precipitation in East Africa, which includes the wetter parts of the Serengeti ecosystem.

It is commonly found in grasslands in combination with Themeda triandra[4] and Hyparrhenia dissoluta.

[5] Hyparrhenia filipendula is a fodder plant for wild and domestic grazers, but it is not well adapted to heavy grazing.