Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is an evergreen shrub native to the coastal regions of western North America. It is characterized by its leathery, dark green leaves, white to pale pink urn-shaped flowers, and dark blue to black edible berries. The berries have a sweet-tart flavor and were an important food source for Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, used fresh, dried, or in cakes. The leaves were also employed medicinally and as a food wrap during cooking. Salal is ecologically significant, providing habitat and food for wildlife, including birds and mammals. Its dense growth makes it valuable for erosion control and understory cover. In landscaping, salal is popular for its hardiness, adaptability to various soil types, and use as a ground cover or ornamental plant in shaded gardens.