Phleum (common name timothy) is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the grass family. The genus is native to Europe, Asia and north Africa, with one species (P. alpinum) also in North and South America.
They are tufted grasses growing to 20âÂÂ150 cm tall, with cylindrical, spike-like panicles containing many densely packed spikelets.
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.