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Phleum pratense L.

Timothy

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassCommelinidaeDayflowers and spiderworts, and several others
OrderCyperalesFlowering plants including grasses
FamilyPoaceaeGrasses (but not sedges or rushes)
GenusPhleumFrom ancient Greek phleos, for a type of swamp-growing grass
Speciespratense“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 1½-5′ (50-150 cm) high. Leaves are up to 1½′ (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

Illinois Wildflowers

Hort.purdue.edu

Calflora

The USDA Plants Database

References:

Knobel, Edward, The Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of the United States, Bradlee Whidden, 1899, p. 7

Phleum pratense (timothy)

By Dr. George Vasey.

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/21/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/27/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (12 × 19 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/22/2023 · Florida Lake Park, Freeport, Maine

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/28/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

7/14/2012 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm)

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.


 

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Phleum pratense (timothy)

7/29/2023 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts

Phleum pratense (timothy)

7/29/2023 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts

Phleum pratense (timothy)

7/14/2012 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm) ID is uncertain

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/29/2014 · Mount Agamenticus, York, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/16/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

7/29/2023 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts

Phleum pratense (timothy)

7/14/2012 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/8/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

5/11/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

Phleum pratense (timothy)

6/8/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

7/6/2017 · Mt. Watatic, access road, Ashby, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 14 cm)

Range:

About this map...