Salal

Taxobox
color = lightgreen
name = Salal
status =

secure


image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ericales
familia = Ericaceae
genus = "Gaultheria"
species = "G. shallon"
binomial = "Gaultheria shallon"
binomial_authority = Pursh

Salal or shallon ("Gaultheria shallon", Ericaceae) is a leathery-leaved shrub native to western North America. Its dark blue "berries" (actually swollen sepalscite book |coauthors=Paul Alaback, Joe Antos, Trevor Goward, Ken Lertzman, Andy MacKinnon, Jim Pojar, Rosamund Pojar, Andrew Reed, Nancy Turner, Dale Vitt |editor=Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon |title=Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast |edition=Revised |year=2004 |publisher=Lone Pine Publishing|location=Vancouver |language=English language |isbn=978-1-55105-530-5 |pages=53 |quote= ] ) are edible and are efficient appetite suppressants, 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.

More recently, salal berries are used locally in jams, preserves and pies. [cite book |last=Clarke |first=Charlotte Bringle |title=Edible and Useful Plants of California |year=1978 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0520032675 ] They are often combined with Oregon-grape because the tartness of the latter makes up for the mild sweetness of salal.

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.

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

Salal was introduced to Britain in 1828 by David Douglas, who intended the plant to be used as an ornamental. 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. Fact|date=October 2007 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. [Michael Moore, "Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West", illustrated by Mimi Kamp, published by Red Crane Books, Inc. ISBN 1-878610-31-7]

Notes and references

Links

USDA Plant Profile - http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GASH