Library \ Timothy Hay History
 tim·o·thy
(tm-th)
n. pl. tim·o·thies
Any of several grasses of the genus Phleum, especially P. pratense,
native to Eurasia, and P. alpinum, of North America, having a dense
cylindrical inflorescence of compressed, one-flowered spikelets
and widely cultivated for hay.
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[Probably after Timothy Hanson, an 18th Century American farmer.]
Timothy Hay or herd's-grass, perennial plant (Phleum pratense)
of the family Gramineae (grass family), native to Europe and W Asia
and one of the most widely cultivated hay grass of North America.
Adaptable to cool, moist climates where it is sometimes grown in
mixtures (especially with red clover), it is a late grass, usually
sown in the Fall and can be stored after cutting.
It is not used for permanent pastures because it cannot survive
continuous grazing. Timothy is classified in the division Magnoliophyta
, class Liliopsida, order Cyperales, family Gramineae.
Timothy hay generally gives the impression that it is more parched
when compared to the other varieties. Since timothy is less damp
than most hay, it is known to be less susceptible to mold if any.
 Timothy
Phleum pratense
Family Gramineae
Characteristics:
* Inflorescence narrow, cylindrical, rough-textured.
* Flower single, pale green turning to tan.
* Height: 1-3 1/2'.
Natural History:
* Flowers in early summer.
* Habitat: Meadows, roadsides.
* Range: Throughout the United States.
* Presumably introduced from Europe.
Connections!
* Timothy was first found in America in 1711 by one Jonathan Herd
in New Hampshire, but the species was also known to exist in England.
* Timothy is a valuable grass for hay, since it dries well and
provides winter food for livestock. It gets its name from the first
farmer to promote it for hay, Timothy Hanson.
* From 1870 to 1910, timothy was a valuable cash crop, since hay
was need to feed horses that propelled carriages and farm machines.
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