Timothy grass

Timothy grows to 150 cm (59 in) tall, with leaves up to 50 cm (20 in) long and 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) broad. The leaves are hairless, rolled rather than folded, and the lower sheaths turn dark brown. It is a tufted grass, with no stolons or rhizomes. The ligule is short and blunt. The flowerhead is 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long (or more, in some cultivars) and 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) broad, with densely packed spikelets, the glumes with a 1–2 mm long awn. It flowers from June until August. The stamens are purple. Timothy can be confused with smaller cat's-tail (Phleum bertolonii); this is most easily distinguished by its acute, not blunt, ligules. Meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) or purple-stem cat's-tail (Phleum phleoides) can also be confused. It grows well in heavy soil, and is noted for its resistance to cold and drought, and thus ability to grow in dry upland or poor sandy soils. In pasture it tends to be overwhelmed by more competitive grasses. After cutting it grows slowly.

Some caterpillars use it as a food plant, e.g. the Essex skipper (Thymelicus lineola) and the marbled white (Melanargia galathea). It also grows in roadsides and abandoned fields but generally requires nutrient-rich soils.

It is commonly grown for cattle feed and, in particular, as hay for horses. It is relatively high in fibre, especially when cut late. It is considered a harsh, coarse grass little relished by livestock if cut earlier. It is considered part of the standard mix for grass hay and provides quality nutrition for horses. Timothy hay is a staple food for domestic pet rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus, often making up the bulk of their diet. Timothy hay is rich in long fibres and its abrasive texture helps to grind down the teeth, keeping both the teeth and jaw in good order. Plants persist through the winter. Dead, straw-coloured flowering stems may persist, but only for a short time, and can be recognised by the distinctive spike-like inflorescence. Timothy was unintentionally introduced to North America by early settlers, and was first described in 1711 by John Hurd from plants growing in New Hampshire. Hurd named the grass "hurd grass" but a farmer named Timothy Hanson began to promote cultivation of it as a hay about 1720, and the grass has been known by its present name since then.

Breeding objectives in timothy. Breeding programs for forage grasses and especially timothy have been focusing on the improvement of dry matter yield, resistance to disease, dry matter digestibility, and nutritional value, which depends on target species and environment. …