Gaultheria shallon – salal
Common Name
salal
Alternate Common Names
- shallon
Family
Ericaceae
Scientific Name
Gaultheria shallon
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
- Dry (D)
- Moderately Dry (MD)
- Medium (M)
Soil Nutrient Regime (SNR)
- Poor (P)
Video link
Hitchcock, C. Leo, and Arthur Cronquist. Flora of the Pacific Northwest: An Illustrated Manual © 1973. Reprinted with permission of the University of Washington Press.
Photo Gallery
General / Habitat
- Very common understory shrub in coastal BC, especially common in drier coniferous forests, also found in wet or boggy forests and along coast
- Low to medium elevations
Key Identifying Characteristics
- Form: Creeping to erect, up to several meters tall
- Leaves: Leathery, shiny, evergreen and egg-shaped with point at end; 5-10 cm long with fine toothing
- Flowers: White to pinkish and urn-shaped; 7-10 mm in size; point down from branch ends, with 5-15 on each branch
- Fruit: Reddish blue to dark purple berries 6-10 mm across; edible
Interesting Characteristics
- Important food for numerous coastal peoples due to its abundance and edible berries
External References
Sources
Douglas, G.W. et al (Editors). 1998-2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia, Volumes 1 to 8. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.
Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 2014. Plants of Coastal British Columbia Including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. B.C. Ministry of Forestry and Lone Pine Publishing. Vancouver, B.C.