Leaf
Emmanuel Stratmains, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0
Timothy grass
Phleum pratense L.
Also known as: Timothy, Cat's-tail
Family: Poaceae
40 cm to 1 m
Mown and grazed meadows
Flowering: June – August
Full sun
Part shade
Very hardy, to -30°C
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
Dense, rigid cylindrical spike, very recognisable by touch, like a small brush.
🍃 Leaves
Flat, rough, bright green
🌸 Flowers
Dense, rigid cylindrical spike, like a small bulrush head
🍎 Fruits
Small grains held in the compact spike
🪵 Bark
Base of the stems sometimes swollen into a bulb
🗺️ Distribution
Europe, temperate Asia; very common in meadows in France
🐝 Value for pollinators
Wind-pollinated, of little interest to pollinators
✂️ Horticultural uses
Grown as a meadow forage plant, little used as an ornamental
⚠️ Possible toxicity
No known toxicity; allergenic pollen
🌿 Other Poaceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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