How to identify Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

How to identify Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

Salal, also known as Lemonleaf

Salal stands as an evergreen shrub, bearing a dense and verdant foliage throughout the year. Its structure ranges from erect to prostrate, with stems that readily root when in contact with the soil. The leaves of salal are notably leathery, with a glossy upper surface, and tend to be oval-shaped, measuring about 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12.7 cm) in length. This shrub can often form extensive thickets under the canopy of forests, providing a lush undergrowth. The stems and twigs of salal are characterized by their flexibility and strength, often rooting into the earth when laying upon the ground, further contributing to their ability to spread and create a rich habitat for various bird species.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Salal

Leathery oval leaves, 2-5 inches (5-12.7 cm) long, with glossy upper surface.

One-sided raceme flowers, urn-shaped, 0.3 inches (8 mm) long, white to pinkish.

Small blue-black berries, 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter, rough, hairy surface.

Thick, shiny, deep green leaves, oval to round, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long.

Red young shoots transitioning to smooth grayish-brown stem, 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1 cm) thick.

Detailed Traits of Salal

Leaf Features

Salal boasts thick, shiny, deep green leaves measuring 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long and 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) wide. These leaves are oval to round in shape, with bristly serrate margins. The undersides are rough and lighter in color than the tops. Their vein pattern can be seen prominently owing to the leaves' texture and coloration, making them a distinct feature for identifying salal.

Leaf Shape

Ovate ,

Circular ,

Reniform

Leaf Base

Cordate ,

Circular

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of salal emerge in a one-sided raceme, gracefully drooping and urn-shaped. Each flower, measuring approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) in length, exhibits a delicate white to pinkish hue. Blooming from spring to early summer, the flowers possess a soft, subtle fragrance that attracts pollinators. The petals are fused, forming the classic urn shape typical of the species, with a slight curve at the tip, enhancing their elegant appearance.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of salal, initially sporting red young shoots, matures into a grayish-brown hue. Smooth in texture, the mature twigs display a seamless consistency. Typically, the stem maintains a moderate thickness of about 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1 cm). Branching occurs frequently, giving the plant a bushy appearance. Key identification features include the contrasting red of young shoots transitioning to a consistently smooth grayish-brown surface as the plant matures.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of salal is a small berry, typically measuring about 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter. These berries exhibit a distinctive blue-black hue and possess a rough, hairy surface that may assist in identification. While information about the taste or seed content is not provided, their popularity among birds suggests they are an appealing food source in their native habitat. The texture and coloration are key features that can aid enthusiasts in recognizing the fruit of salal.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Salal and Their Similar Plants

Wintergreen vs. Salal: What's The Difference?

Wintergreen (*Gaultheria procumbens*) is a plant species also referred to as the following names: "American wintergreen", "Checkerberry", "Boxberry", and "Spreading wintergreen." This plant is a member of the blueberry family. It's mostly found in hardwood forests that have acidic soil and moderate shade. When crushed, the leaves release a wintergreen scent.

Identify Salal easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Salal

Attributes of Salal

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

20 cm to 5 m

Spread

1 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

7 mm to 8 mm

Leaf type

Evergreen

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Salal

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

Learn More About the Salal

Distribution Map of Salal

Salal is native to western regions of North America and has been introduced to other temperate areas across the Northern Hemisphere. Its cultivation is noted in various locales where admirers value its ornamental and landscaping merits. While salal has found a new niche in parts of Europe, it is sometimes thought to be a competitor to resident flora. In particular, certain areas regard salal with caution due to its potential to influence native ecosystems, though it is mainly when conditions allow for unchecked growth.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Salal

A Comprehensive Guide to Salal How to Grow and Care for Salal