Salal, native to Western North America, is a leathery leaved shrub. The salal shrub has dark blue, edible berries that have a unique, albeit bland flavor. Salal berries were once a significant source of food among Native Americans. Today, salal berries are still being made into jellies and jams. They are often combined with Oregon-grape because the tartness does a nice job of offsetting the blandness of the salal berry. Salal is versatile in that it can thrive in both sunny and shady conditions. In moist, costal climates, salal tends to form deep thickets. In the Pacific Northwest, salal is a major export. It is sold to florists all over the world for use in floral arrangements.
Certain animals tend to like salal berries. While deer and elk feed off the twigs and leaves of salal, various species of birds and even bears often eat the salal berries. Deer and elk, as well as many other animals, use the dense thickets of salal to hide in while sleeping.
Salal does well in many different soil types. Its root system actually helps to bind the soil where it is present. It tends to be somewhat immune to salt spray, allowing it to grow in large quantities near the sea. Wildlife habitat rehabilitation oftentimes includes salal. In your backyard, once it is established, it can live off very little water. Its shiny green leaves and white and pink urn shaped flowers go great in floral and garden arrangements.