Gaultheria shallon is an evergreen shrub in the family Ericaceae (Klinkenberg 2017) which also includes heather plants.
Description:
G. shallon has multiple branched stems that can grow to 1.5 m tall. The dark green leaves are thick and leathery. Each simple leaf is rounded at the base, has a pointed tip and margins that are finely toothed. Flowers form rows on separate stems, are urn-shaped and white to pinkish, and develop into round fleshy fruits (berries) that are purplish-black in colour (Klinkenberg 2017).
Ecology:
G. shallon grows along the Pacific Coast from southeastern Alaska, central British Columbia to southern California (Hitchcock et al. 1959). It is a common understory shrub in coniferous forests, and is often associated with Douglas fir, western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and western red cedar (Tirmenstein 1990). It is more abundant in open-canopy coniferous forests and is less common is heavily shaded forests (Klinka et al. 1989).
The presence of G. shallon can hinder the growth of other species. Their extensive horizontal root systems efficiently absorb available soil water. Their thick leathery leaves are slow to decompose and lock up nutrients that other species need. These features limit the growth of other species, particularly on moisture-deficient sites (Klinka et al. 1989).
G. shallon berries are eaten by many species of birds (e.g. hummingbirds) and mammals (e.g. squirrels, beavers) (Bressette 2015). The foliage is an important winter food source for elk and deer. Native people also ate fresh salal berries, or made them into jams, jellies and cakes.
The presence of G. shallon can hinder the growth of other species. Their extensive horizontal root systems efficiently absorb available soil water. Their thick leathery leaves are slow to decompose and lock up nutrients that other species need. These features limit the growth of other species, particularly on moisture-deficient sites (Klinka et al. 1989).
G. shallon berries are eaten by many species of birds (e.g. hummingbirds) and mammals (e.g. squirrels, beavers) (Bressette 2015). The foliage is an important winter food source for elk and deer. Native people also ate fresh salal berries, or made them into jams, jellies and cakes.
Reproduction and Dispersal:
Following the pollination of the female reproductive structures in the flowers, fertilization occurs and seeds are produced. The seeds are embedded in the fruits (or berries). Birds and other animals (including humans) that eat the berries help to disperse the seeds. This form of sexual reproduction is favoured under sparse canopy, while vegetative reproduction (underground stems that sprout) is favoured under dense canopy (Bunnell 1990).
References Cited:
Bressette DK. 2015. Native plants PNW, An encyclopedia of the cultural and natural history of northwest native plants. [accessed 2017 Jan 14]. http://nativeplantspnw.com/salal-gaultheria-shallon/.
Bunnell FL. 1990. Reproduction of salal (Gaultheria shallon) under forest canopy. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 20: 91-100.
Hitchcock CL, Cronquist A, Ownbey M. 1959. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 4: Ericaceae through Campanulaceae. Seattle (WA): University of Washington Press. p. 510.
Klinka K, Krajina VJ, Ceska A, Scagel AM. 1989. Indicator plants of coastal British Columbia. Vancouver (BC): University of British Columbia Press.
Klinkenberg B, editor. 2017. E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [accessed 2017 Jan 9]. http://http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Gaultheria%20shallon .
Tirmenstein DA. 1990. Gaultheria shallon. In: Fire effects information system. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Services. [accessed 2017 Jan. 9]. http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis//plants/shrub/gausha/all.html.
Bunnell FL. 1990. Reproduction of salal (Gaultheria shallon) under forest canopy. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 20: 91-100.
Hitchcock CL, Cronquist A, Ownbey M. 1959. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 4: Ericaceae through Campanulaceae. Seattle (WA): University of Washington Press. p. 510.
Klinka K, Krajina VJ, Ceska A, Scagel AM. 1989. Indicator plants of coastal British Columbia. Vancouver (BC): University of British Columbia Press.
Klinkenberg B, editor. 2017. E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [accessed 2017 Jan 9]. http://http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Gaultheria%20shallon .
Tirmenstein DA. 1990. Gaultheria shallon. In: Fire effects information system. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Services. [accessed 2017 Jan. 9]. http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis//plants/shrub/gausha/all.html.