hügg

Hägg, or hawthorn, refers to shrubs and small trees of the genus Crataegus in the family Rosaceae. In Swedish usage the term typically denotes Crataegus monogyna, the common hawthorn, with other regional species such as Crataegus laevigata also present and frequently hybridizing with it.

Description: It is a deciduous, often thorny plant, usually 2–5 meters tall, but some specimens can reach higher. The leaves are lobed and the flowers appear in dense clusters in spring, usually white with a pinkish tinge. Long thorns occur on branches, especially on younger shoots. The fruit is a small red pome, commonly called hagtorn, maturing in autumn and persistently decorative through winter in some forms.

Distribution and habitat: Native to Europe and western Asia, the hawthorn is widespread across temperate regions and has been widely cultivated. It favors hedgerows, woodland edges, and sunny sites with well-drained soils, but tolerates a range of conditions including poorer soils and moderate drought.

Ecology and uses: Hawthorn flowers provide nectar and pollen for pollinators, and the berries are consumed by birds and some mammals, aiding seed dispersal. It is valued for hedging and ornamental use and is used historically in crafts and small timber applications. The berries and flowers have traditional uses in foods and herbal remedies. In contemporary medicine, hawthorn preparations are marketed for cardiovascular support in some regions, but clinical evidence is mixed, and such products should be used with caution and professional guidance.

See also: Crataegus, hedgerow ecology.