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Mountain View News Saturday, April 12, 2025

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is the author of several books including “Self-Sufficient Home” and 
“How to Survive Anywhere.” He also leads wilderness classes every weekend. 
He can be reached at School of Self-Reliance, Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 
90041, or www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]


MEET JJ—
PLAYFUL PUP!

"JJ is a wonderful young Kelpie 
with lots of love to give! 
He is medium-sized, curious, 
and friendly. He is also 
affectionate and playful. In 
short, JJ is a well-rounded 
dog who would make a great addition to any family. He 
is an intelligent pup with lots of energy and would love an 
active home. He is very loyal and will stick by your side. He 
would love to take long walks and runs with his new family. 
He is a sweet boy who is very curious about the world 
around him. He loves to explore 
and sniff around, and he's always 
up for an adventure. Gets along 
great with dogs and people. He is not great with cats because 
he wants to herd them, lol. If you are interested in meeting JJ, 
please contact Laura Paolinelli@LonelyPawsAdoption Network, 
or 703-489-7470. He is currently being fostered in Encino. If 
you're looking for a sweet, affectionate, and loyal companion, JJ 
is the one for you! Open your heart and home to this special boy 
today." This cutie is available for adoption and although the shelter 
named him Urban, we’re calling him JJ. See more of him at 
https://www.lifelineforpets.org/pooch-place.html.


CONSIDERING THE WISTARIA PLANT

This weekend, people from around the world will flock to Sierra Madre for 
the annual Wistaria Festival. OK, maybe not from around the world, but 
certainly from near and far in Southern California.

Every town whose leaders are far-seeing, seeks to find some pot at the end of the rainbow 
from which to extract endless revenue for its residents. For Pasadena, it is the Rose Parade 
and related activities. For Sierra Madre, it is the unlikely wistaria vine, considered one of the 
oldest anywhere.

The vine is a sprawling plant most of the year, and around March it starts to set its buds and 
produce its drooping mildly-fragrant purple flowers. It’s very attractive. One year, I went on 
the tour of the “Wistaria House” and was treated to a very special tour. After learning how 
the roots destroyed at least one former structure on the property, I left with the firm conviction 
that I would never, ever plant a wistaria vine anywhere near any home or structure that 
I owned! I know some will bristle at this, but just look at the facts – wistaria is best grown 
well away from your important structures.

There is a duality to Wisteria, starting with those who think it’s an invasive weed and those 
who like to eat its sweet, fragrant blossoms.

Where did Wistaria get its name? Some say it is named after Dr. Caspar Wistar (1761-1818) 
physician, anatomist, vaccination champion and abolitionist. Others say it was named for 
Charles Jones Wister Sr., whose father, Daniel, paid for the voyage of the Empress of China 
which brought a Wisteria vine to North America from China. But apparently Wisteria had 
already been brought to the U.S.

Wiseria’s multiple personality continues with edibility. The blossoms of the plant are edible 
raw or cooked. The rest of the plant is toxic per se. In fact, as little as two raw seeds can kill 
a child. That is not uncommon for a member of the pea family which ranges from edible to 
toxic, so we do not recommend that you eat the seeds.

Wisteria is a vigorous, fast grower that doesn’t need fertilizer and fixes nitrogen. In fact, 
abuse improves blossoming as does pruning. It can live at least 144 years (as of 2014) and is 
consider an invasive species is some areas. It has naturalized from Maine to Florida and as 
far west as Arkansas. It commonly grows wild in certain S. California backyards.

In Japan, the young leaves of the W. floribunda (aka W. macrobotrys and W. multijuga) are 
cooked and eaten, and the blossoms are blanched. This holds true for the Wisteria venusta, 
or Silky Wisteria. It has white flower clusters six inches long, vine to 25 feet, 9 to 13 leaflets, 
counter clockwise twist.

The seeds and leaves of the Wisteria japonica were used as a famine food — but are not recommended 
— and the flowers of the Wisteria villosa have been eaten.

There are several species of the Wisteria plant, including sinsensis, frutescens, floribunda, 
macrostachys, and others.

I recall some years ago that at least a few merchants at a past Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival 
were selling a jam made from the wistaria blossoms. After I researched the viability of doing 
this, I came up with advice from Greene Deane.

For those who want to try eating the wistaria blossoms, ethnobotanist Greene Deane offers 
the following method of preparation: “Blossoms raw or cooked, REMOVE THE STEMS! The 
Japanese blanch their blossoms. Japanese Wisteria leaves boiled when young, seeds roasted, 
reportedly a chestnut flavor, leave also used for tea. None recommended regarding the Japanese 
Wisteria. Also raw seeds are toxic. The toxin is a glycoside which is usually a sugar 
molecule attached to a nitrogen molecule or the like and is stripped off during digestion.”


Pet of the Week

 Nila is a gentle, wise, and oh-so-sweet senior German 
Shepherd looking for a loving home to spend her golden 
years. This 8-year-old sweetheart may have a little grayer 
on her muzzle, but her heart is as full of love as ever! Nila is 
all about the simple joys in life—soft beds, belly rubs, and 
leisurely strolls where she can sniff to her heart’s content. 

She’s got a calm and loving nature, always happy to be 
by your side, whether it’s for a lazy afternoon nap or just 
keeping you company while you read or watch TV. This 
lovely gal is the definition of a loyal companion. She’ll 
listen to all your stories, greet you with a happy tail wag, 
and remind you daily how special senior dogs truly are. 
She’s looking for a quiet, cozy home where she can be 
spoiled with love, gentle scratches, and maybe even a few 
extra treats. 

If you’re searching for a sweet, soulful best friend who will bring warmth and love into 
your life, Nila is ready to fill that spot. Could you be her perfect match?Nila’s age makes her 
eligible for Pasadena Humane’s Seniors for Seniors Program. Her adoption fee is waived 
for any adopter over the age of 60!The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions 
include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines. Walk-in adoptions are 
available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.
org. 

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal 
Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. 
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone 
calls or email.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com