Salal

Salal, scientifically known as Gaultheria shallon, is an evergreen shrub in the heath family native to western North America. It occurs from British Columbia south to northern California and is a common understory plant in coastal and inland temperate forests. The species tolerates shade and is often found in moist, well-drained, acidic soils.

The plant typically forms a low to medium-sized shrub, with glossy, leathery dark green leaves arranged alternately along reddish stems. In spring, it produces small, bell-shaped white to pale pink flowers. Later in the season, salal bears dark blue to purple berries with a pale bloom, usually ripe from late summer into fall. The berries are edible and have historically been an important food source for Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, who used them fresh, dried, or processed into jams and syrups.

Ecology and uses: Salal plays a role in forest ecosystems by providing fruit for birds and mammals and by contributing evergreen foliage that offers ground cover and habitat. In horticulture, salal is valued as a low-maintenance groundcover or understory shrub in shade gardens and native plant landscapes. It tolerates a range of moisture levels but prefers consistent moisture and acidic soils.

Conservation and cultivation: Salal is not generally considered endangered, though wild populations can be affected by habitat loss and overharvesting in some areas. It is commonly propagated by semi-ripe cuttings or layering and is widely grown in botanical gardens and landscapes for its evergreen foliage and edible berries.