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 20–150 cm tall, with cylindrical, spike-like panicles containing many densely packed spikelets. • Phleum alpinum – subarctic and mountainous areas in Eurasia, the Americas, South Georgia, etc. • Phleum arenarium – western + southern Europe; Mediterranean • Phleum bertolonii - Europe, Middle East • Phleum boissieri - southwest Asia • Phleum × brueggeri - France, Switzerland • Phleum crypsoides - Sardinia, Greece, Cyprus • Phleum echinatum - Italy, Greece, Balkans, Crimea • Phleum exaratum - from Italy to Uzbekistan • Phleum gibbum - Turkey • Phleum himalaicum - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir • Phleum hirsutum - central Europe, Balkans, Ukraine, Caucasus • Phleum iranicum - Iran • Phleum montanum - from Balkans to Iran • Phleum paniculatum - from Spain to Japan • Phleum phleoides – from Portugal + Morocco to eastern Siberia • Phleum pratense – Timothy – from Portugal + Morocco to central Asia; naturalized in East Asia, the Americas, etc. • Phleum subulatum - from Portugal to Pakistan • Phleum × viniklarii - Dalmatia 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

Cultivation and uses

Several species are important for cattle feed and as hay for horses and other domestic animals.