Salal

Salal (Gaultheria shallon, Ericaceae) is a leathery-leaved shrub native to western North America. Its dark blue berries are edible, though somewhat bland, and were a significant food resource for the native people.

Locally salal berries are made into jams and jellies, often combined with oregon grape because of the tartness of the latter.

Salal is very tolerant of both open sun and shady conditions. In coastal areas it can form deep, nearly impenetrable thickets.