Salal

Salal is a shade-tolerant, evergreen shrub native to coastal forests, dunes, and understories of the Pacific Northwest. It typically grows 1–5 feet tall, with leathery, dark green, oval leaves and dense thickets that provide excellent cover for wildlife. In late spring to summer, it produces clusters of small, urn-shaped white to pink flowers, followed by dark purple, berry-like fruits that are edible and important to native peoples as a traditional food source. Ecologically, Salal is an understory species that stabilizes soils, supports pollinators, and provides berries for birds, bears, and other wildlife, making it a keystone plant in forest ecosystems. The foliage is used in floral displays.