Mountain View News Saturday, March 21, 2026 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is an educator, author, and ethnobotanist who has authored “Nuts and 
Berries of California,” and nearly 20 other books. You can find more information at 
www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.] 

CONSIDERING THE WISTARIA PLANT 

Soon, 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 156 years (as of 2026) 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 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, leaves 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.” 

LUCK O’THE IRISH NEEDED HERE 

Vision is a charming boy 
who has so much to offer! 
He’s an affectionate, gentle 
tuxedo boy who lights up 
when people or other cats 
walk by. He’s clearly ready 
to love and be loved, 
and to be someone’s beloved, 
fun companion. He 
will follow you around, yet 
he can be both playful chill, 
or will happily nap by your 
side. 
Vision is a very young age 9, healthy and doing very well. He acclimated quickly when 
placed in a loving foster home, but that is only short-term. He needs adoption now, and 
he’s ready! 


As for his special name, in the Marvel Comics Universe, Vision, a super robot, was loved 
by and loved the Marvel character named Wanda. However, their life together was denied.
Are you the one who will give Vision his end of the rainbow real life happy ending?
Apply to meet him at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/vision.html or use the qr code. 

Pet of the Week 

Follow the rainbow and you might just find RainbowDust waiting at the end of it! This magical 15-year-oldbrown Chihuahua may be a tiny senior, but she’s packedwith spunky charm and a whole lot of personality. 

Rainbow Dust is a friendly, loving little companionwho adores her people and happily soaks up attentionfrom adults and kids alike. She’s house trained,
enjoys short walks and little adventures throughoutthe day, and then happily settles inside at night to 
rest up for more magic tomorrow. Like many wiselittle leprechauns, she may be a bit shy when meetingnew friends at first, but give her a little time and shewarms up nicely.If you’re looking for a tiny treasure tobrighten your days, 

Rainbow Dust is ready to sprinkle a little luck, love,
and sparkle into her forever home!If you’re interestedin adoption, Pasadena Humane is inviting adopters to come on out and draw theirlucky, discounted adoption fee during their “Pot of Gold” promotion! This appliesto all animals, including Rainbow Dust, from March 16-22.

 Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos ofadoptable 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 carefor your pet.Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potentialadopters 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