The name "salal" comes from the Native American Chinook language. This hearty understory plant has deep green, leathery foliage that is common in floral arrangements. The white blossoms emerge in a line formation, and are followed by a blue edible berry. Sticky sweet and pithy, the berries are favorites among some of the wildlife and the occasional human. This vigorous shrub forms dense 1’ - 4’ tall impenetrable thickets, and has evergreen, leathery sturdy leaves grow opposite on hairy stems. In the late spring and early summer, flowers that are urn-shaped, white or pale pink, hang individually from one side of stem tips in large clusters.
- Berries Dark blue to purple-black and edible
- Rarity: Common
- Flowering Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Habitat: Coastal, West-Side Forest
- Native: Yes
Source: Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon Flora Project
