| Phleum | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Phleum pratense | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Supertribe: | Poodae |
| Tribe: | Poeae |
| Subtribe: | Phleinae Dumort. |
| Genus: | Phleum L. |
| Type species | |
| Phleum pratense | |
| Synonyms [3] | |
| |
Phleum (common name timothy) is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the grass family. [4] The genus is native to Europe, Asia and north Africa, with one species (P. alpinum) also in North and South America. [5]
They are tufted grasses growing to 20–150 cm tall, with cylindrical, spike-like panicles containing many densely packed spikelets. [6]
Numerous species now considered better suited to other genera: Aegilops, Alopecurus, Beckmannia, Crypsis, Cynodon, Cynosurus, Digitaria, Elytrophorus, Ischaemum, Mnesithea, Muhlenbergia, Pennisetum, Pentameris, Phalaris, Polypogon, Polytrias, Sesleria, Tribolium
Several species are important for cattle feed and as hay for horses and other domestic animals. [10]