salal

Salal
Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Ericales Family: Ericaceae Genus: Gaultheria Species: G. shallon
Binomial name
Gaultheria shallon Pursh

Salal or shallon (Gaultheria shallon, Ericaceae) is a leathery-leaved shrub native to western North America.

Ecology

Salal is very tolerant of both open sun and shady conditions. In coastal areas it can form deep, nearly impenetrable thickets. It grows as far north as Baranof Island, Alaska.^[1] Western poison oak is a common associate in the California Coast Ranges.^[2]

Edibility

Gaultheria shallon leaves

Its dark blue "berries" (actually swollen sepals^[1]) and young leaves are both edible and are efficient appetite suppressants, both with a unique flavor. Salal berries were a significant food resource for native people, who both ate them fresh and dried them into cakes. They were also used as a sweetener, and the Haida used them to thicken salmon eggs. The leaves of the plant were also sometimes used to flavor fish soup.^[1]

More recently, salal berries are used locally in jams, preserves and pies.^[1][3] They are often combined with Oregon-grape because the tartness of the latter makes up for the mild sweetness of salal.

In Europe

Salal was introduced to Britain in 1828 by David Douglas, who intended the plant to be used as an ornamental.^[1] There it is usually known as shallon, or more commonly simply Gaultheria, and is believed to have been planted as cover for pheasants on shooting estates.^{[citation needed]} It readily colonises heathland and acidic woodland habitats in southern England, often forming very tall and dense evergreen stands which smother other vegetation. Although heathland managers widely regard it as a problem weed on unmanaged heathland, it is readily browsed by cattle (especially in winter), and so where traditional grazing management has been restored the dense stands become broken up and the plant becomes a more scattered component of the heathland vegetation.

Medicinal properties

Salal has been used for its medicinal properties by local natives for generations. The medicinal uses of this plant are not widely known or used. However, the leaves have an astringent effect, making it an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-cramping herb. By preparing the leaves in a tea or tincture one can take the herb safely to decrease internal inflammation such as bladder inflammation, stomach or duodenal ulcers, heartburn, indigestion, sinus inflammation, diarrhea, moderate fever, inflamed / irritated throat, and menstrual cramps. A poultice of the leaf can be used externally to ease discomfort from insect bites and stings. ^[4]

Economic use

In the Pacific Northwest, the harvesting of salal is the heart of a large export of cut evergreens in which it is sold worldwide for use in floral arrangements.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Salal

External links

• USDA Plant Profile - http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GASH
• Salal in the Oregon Encyclopedia