Phleum pratense L.
Timothy
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Liliopsida Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass Commelinidae Dayflowers and spiderworts, and several others
Order Cyperales Flowering plants including grasses
Family Poaceae Grasses (but not sedges or rushes)
Genus Phleum From ancient Greek phleos, for a type of swamp-growing grass
Species pratense “Growing in meadows”
About plant names...
Timothy is a grass native to Europe, now abundant throughout North America. It came to North America on
the heels of early settlers and was first described here in 1711. Timothy Hanson promoted its use
as hay in 1720, his first name becoming its common name. It is widely used for this purpose now, typically
mixed with alfalfa for better nutritional balance. Some people are allergic to the pollen, which is
released in prodigious quantities during the first half of summer.
Identification: Plants grow 20-59" (50-150 cm) high.
Leaves are up to 18" (45 cm) × ⅜" (1 cm), and are dull green to grayish-blue. The seedhead is
pale gray-green, unbranched and cylindrical,
about 2½-7" (7-17 cm) × ¼-⅜" (8-10 mm). The narrow, neat seedheads are the most
distinguishing feature. They become light brown in the fall.
Online References:
Wikipedia
Missouriplants.com
Illinois Wildflowers
Purdue University's Center for New Crops and Plants Products
Calflora
The USDA Plants Database
References:
Knobel, Edward, The Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of the United States , Bradlee Whidden, 1899 , p. 7
By Dr. George Vasey.
6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts
6/21/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
6/27/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
6/22/2023 · Florida Lake Park, Freeport, Maine
6/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts
6/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts
6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC
6/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts
6/28/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire
7/14/2012 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine
6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC
Older scientific or horticultural names
Phleum nodosum L.
Phleum pratense L. var. nodosum (L.) Huds.
Phleum pratense L. ssp. nodosum (L.) Arcang.
Phleum pratense description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 26 Jul 2023.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts
7/29/2023 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba, Ayer, Massachusetts
7/29/2023 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba, Ayer, Massachusetts
7/14/2012 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine
6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
6/29/2014 · Mount Agamenticus, York, Maine
6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC
6/16/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
7/29/2023 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba, Ayer, Massachusetts
7/14/2012 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine
6/8/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts
5/11/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts
6/8/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts
7/6/2017 · Mt. Watatic, access road, Ashby, Massachusetts
Range:
About this map...
ID is uncertain 
