ExplorePlants

salal

Gaultheria shallon

Salal is a lovely green shrub that grows in forests. It has shiny leaves and produces sweet, purple berries that many animals enjoy eating.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The salal has tough, leathery, evergreen leaves that are shiny and dark green, often with reddish stems. Its small, bell-shaped flowers are white to pinkish, hanging in clusters, followed by dark purple-black, round berries.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusGaultheria
salal
shade_tolerant trait badgeshrub trait badgeevergreen trait badgefruit_bearing trait badge
salal

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Indigenous peoples dried salal berries into cakes for winter!

Its berries were once crushed to make purple dye for baskets.

Salal leaves stay green all year, even through cold winters!

The scientific name "shallon" comes from a native American word for the plant.

Special abilities

Ability

Shade Master

Salal can grow in deep shade or sunny spots, thanks to its adaptable leaves and roots.

Ability

Soil Protector

Salal has a dense network of roots that cling to the soil, helping to prevent erosion on slopes.

Ability

Wild Feast Provider

Salal produces abundant, edible berries that are a vital food source for many forest animals.

Measurements & details

Height
20-500 cm
Spread
50-300 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to early summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking or eating berries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is salal?

20-500 cm

How wide does salal spread?

50-300 cm

How big are the flowers on salal?

0.5-1 cm

When does salal bloom?

Spring to early summer

Is salal edible?

Yes

Is salal toxic?

None

What is salal's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is salal pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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