Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is a hardy, evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Northwest, known for its shiny dark green leaves used in floral arrangements, its edible blue-black berries eaten by wildlife and people (made into jams), and its role as important understory cover for forest animals. It thrives in cool, moist forest conditions but is adaptable to various light and soil types, forming dense thickets and providing vital food and habitat