Stephen Spitewinter
@spitewinter.bsky.social
🌱 #History, #Botany, #Plants, #Gardening, #Art, #Allotment, Economic & Social History, Small-scale food production, Cricket. Mending old things and restoring old houses. Location 🇬🇧
I reply to comments on my posts, but not often to DMs
I reply to comments on my posts, but not often to DMs
Pinned
I'm sometimes in a hurry! All typos and spelling mistakes (particularly the Latin ones) are entirely my own! 🙂
#plants #history #botany #art ☠️
Atropa belladonna - Deadly Nightshade
🧵/1
Deadly means just that - don't mess with it. Another Solanaceae, heavily laced with Atropine. Atropine was used as a cosmetic in the Early Modern Period (for dilating pupils) and is still a useful medication but...
🧵/next
Atropa belladonna - Deadly Nightshade
🧵/1
Deadly means just that - don't mess with it. Another Solanaceae, heavily laced with Atropine. Atropine was used as a cosmetic in the Early Modern Period (for dilating pupils) and is still a useful medication but...
🧵/next
November 26, 2025 at 5:12 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌳
Cinchona officinalis - Brown Peru Bark (many others)
Origin tropical S #America, many varieties of Cinchona but all are a source of the #medicine Quinine, the treatment for Malaria.
Originally presented as Tonic Water, still a popular mixer - just add London Gin 🥂
Cinchona officinalis - Brown Peru Bark (many others)
Origin tropical S #America, many varieties of Cinchona but all are a source of the #medicine Quinine, the treatment for Malaria.
Originally presented as Tonic Water, still a popular mixer - just add London Gin 🥂
November 25, 2025 at 9:09 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Salix alba - Common Willow
Common to temperate N Hemisphere. One of the original sources of the #medicine Salicin which is NOT Aspirin. Aspirin was synthesised from Salicin (extracted from Meadowsweet) by Bayer c1897.
Salicin ref:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salicin
Salix alba - Common Willow
Common to temperate N Hemisphere. One of the original sources of the #medicine Salicin which is NOT Aspirin. Aspirin was synthesised from Salicin (extracted from Meadowsweet) by Bayer c1897.
Salicin ref:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salicin
November 24, 2025 at 9:46 AM
#plants #history #botany #art
This may be the last Autumnal theme for this year. The evenings in 🇬🇧 have been dark and cold this week, and snow is falling not far to the north of me.
Enjoy your weekend!
Konstantin Korovin (1861-1939)
'Autumn in a Russian village'
Early C20th
Oils on Panel
This may be the last Autumnal theme for this year. The evenings in 🇬🇧 have been dark and cold this week, and snow is falling not far to the north of me.
Enjoy your weekend!
Konstantin Korovin (1861-1939)
'Autumn in a Russian village'
Early C20th
Oils on Panel
November 21, 2025 at 5:07 AM
#plants #history #botany #art #medicine #livingfossil 🌱
Ephedra distachya - Sea Grape
Ancient plant that has changed little in the last 100 million years. Source of the stimulant Ephedrine, first isolated by Nagayoshi Nagai c1885.
Cambridge Botanic ref:
www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/learning/tra...
Ephedra distachya - Sea Grape
Ancient plant that has changed little in the last 100 million years. Source of the stimulant Ephedrine, first isolated by Nagayoshi Nagai c1885.
Cambridge Botanic ref:
www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/learning/tra...
November 20, 2025 at 12:34 PM
#plants #history #botany #art #medicine #livingfossil 🌱
Ephedra distachya - Sea Grape
Ancient plant that has changed little in the last 100 million years. Source of the stimulant Ephedrine, first isolated by Nagayoshi Nagai c1885.
Cambridge Botanic ref:
www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/learning/tra...
Ephedra distachya - Sea Grape
Ancient plant that has changed little in the last 100 million years. Source of the stimulant Ephedrine, first isolated by Nagayoshi Nagai c1885.
Cambridge Botanic ref:
www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/learning/tra...
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Papaver somniferum - Opium Poppy
Victorian drug of choice (Laudanum, Opium diluted in alcohol) exploited by the 🇬🇧East India Company.
Original source of the #medicine Morphine, the greatest advance in pain relief.
Good read:
herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/plants40...
Papaver somniferum - Opium Poppy
Victorian drug of choice (Laudanum, Opium diluted in alcohol) exploited by the 🇬🇧East India Company.
Original source of the #medicine Morphine, the greatest advance in pain relief.
Good read:
herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/plants40...
November 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Datura stramonium - Jjimson Weed, Devil's Trumpet.
Origin Isthmus of Darien & Mexico, spread world wide.
It's a Solanaceae and an original source of the #medicine (s) atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. (There are others.)
refs
www.rhs.org.uk/plants/5355/...
Datura stramonium - Jjimson Weed, Devil's Trumpet.
Origin Isthmus of Darien & Mexico, spread world wide.
It's a Solanaceae and an original source of the #medicine (s) atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. (There are others.)
refs
www.rhs.org.uk/plants/5355/...
November 18, 2025 at 8:37 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Digitalis purpurea - Common Foxglove
Original source of the cardiac #medicine Digoxin / Digitalin.
First clues from William Withering in 1785 who used it to treat Dropsy. Digoxin was isolated c1930 by Dr Sydney Smith.
General ref:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitalis
Digitalis purpurea - Common Foxglove
Original source of the cardiac #medicine Digoxin / Digitalin.
First clues from William Withering in 1785 who used it to treat Dropsy. Digoxin was isolated c1930 by Dr Sydney Smith.
General ref:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitalis
November 17, 2025 at 12:22 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Well, Monday got here! (He said, whist putting away a mop and bucket.) Storm Claudia got trapped squarely over my house by two opposing pressure systems for 48 hours. Wet, wet, wet... 🙁
Everyone else in 🇬🇧 OK? Let's have a good week. Plant Medicines and Poisons?
Well, Monday got here! (He said, whist putting away a mop and bucket.) Storm Claudia got trapped squarely over my house by two opposing pressure systems for 48 hours. Wet, wet, wet... 🙁
Everyone else in 🇬🇧 OK? Let's have a good week. Plant Medicines and Poisons?
November 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM
#plants #history #botany #art 🍆
Friday has crept up on me again - weather forecast for the weekend is awful. I'm just going to stay home and stare at #vegetables 🙁
James Peale (1749-1832)
Balsam Apple and Vegetables
Oils on Canvas c1820s.
Original at the Met -
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
Friday has crept up on me again - weather forecast for the weekend is awful. I'm just going to stay home and stare at #vegetables 🙁
James Peale (1749-1832)
Balsam Apple and Vegetables
Oils on Canvas c1820s.
Original at the Met -
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
November 14, 2025 at 1:21 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🍆
Friday has crept up on me again - weather forecast for the weekend is awful. I'm just going to stay home and stare at #vegetables 🙁
James Peale (1749-1832)
Balsam Apple and Vegetables
Oils on Canvas c1820s.
Original at the Met -
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
Friday has crept up on me again - weather forecast for the weekend is awful. I'm just going to stay home and stare at #vegetables 🙁
James Peale (1749-1832)
Balsam Apple and Vegetables
Oils on Canvas c1820s.
Original at the Met -
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Rhopalostylis sapida - Nīkau
It's coming up to summer in the S Hemisphere. This is Nīkau, #NewZealand 's only native palm.
And this is a link to Nīkau in the Motutapu Island Restoration project web site:
Read all about it 🙂 -
www.motutapu.org.nz/news/nikau--...
Rhopalostylis sapida - Nīkau
It's coming up to summer in the S Hemisphere. This is Nīkau, #NewZealand 's only native palm.
And this is a link to Nīkau in the Motutapu Island Restoration project web site:
Read all about it 🙂 -
www.motutapu.org.nz/news/nikau--...
November 13, 2025 at 7:15 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Rhopalostylis sapida - Nīkau
It's coming up to summer in the S Hemisphere. This is Nīkau, #NewZealand 's only native palm.
And this is a link to Nīkau in the Motutapu Island Restoration project web site:
Read all about it 🙂 -
www.motutapu.org.nz/news/nikau--...
Rhopalostylis sapida - Nīkau
It's coming up to summer in the S Hemisphere. This is Nīkau, #NewZealand 's only native palm.
And this is a link to Nīkau in the Motutapu Island Restoration project web site:
Read all about it 🙂 -
www.motutapu.org.nz/news/nikau--...
#plants #history #botany #art 🌼
Gentiana asclepiadea - Willow Gentian
In the N Hemisphere the winter days are shortening quickly. I think it's time for something bright. Willow gentian should have finished flowering by now but you may find some seed pods.
RHS HowTo
www.rhs.org.uk/plants/7765/...
Gentiana asclepiadea - Willow Gentian
In the N Hemisphere the winter days are shortening quickly. I think it's time for something bright. Willow gentian should have finished flowering by now but you may find some seed pods.
RHS HowTo
www.rhs.org.uk/plants/7765/...
November 12, 2025 at 11:10 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌼
Gentiana asclepiadea - Willow Gentian
In the N Hemisphere the winter days are shortening quickly. I think it's time for something bright. Willow gentian should have finished flowering by now but you may find some seed pods.
RHS HowTo
www.rhs.org.uk/plants/7765/...
Gentiana asclepiadea - Willow Gentian
In the N Hemisphere the winter days are shortening quickly. I think it's time for something bright. Willow gentian should have finished flowering by now but you may find some seed pods.
RHS HowTo
www.rhs.org.uk/plants/7765/...
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Drosera rotundifolia - Round-Leaved Sundew
A reminder of how adaptable plants are in even the most unlikely of environments. Common to Northern Hemisphere, all continents.
A good, short article from the 🇬🇧 Wildlife Trust:
www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-exp...
Drosera rotundifolia - Round-Leaved Sundew
A reminder of how adaptable plants are in even the most unlikely of environments. Common to Northern Hemisphere, all continents.
A good, short article from the 🇬🇧 Wildlife Trust:
www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-exp...
November 10, 2025 at 8:21 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Drosera rotundifolia - Round-Leaved Sundew
A reminder of how adaptable plants are in even the most unlikely of environments. Common to Northern Hemisphere, all continents.
A good, short article from the 🇬🇧 Wildlife Trust:
www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-exp...
Drosera rotundifolia - Round-Leaved Sundew
A reminder of how adaptable plants are in even the most unlikely of environments. Common to Northern Hemisphere, all continents.
A good, short article from the 🇬🇧 Wildlife Trust:
www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-exp...
#plants #history #botany #art
Papaver Rhoeas - Common Poppy
Remembrance Sunday in 🇬🇧.
The guns of 1914 - 1918 fell silent, and we wear poppies. We pay our respects to all those who have served and fallen in the defence of our freedom.
In Flanders Fields
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/...
Papaver Rhoeas - Common Poppy
Remembrance Sunday in 🇬🇧.
The guns of 1914 - 1918 fell silent, and we wear poppies. We pay our respects to all those who have served and fallen in the defence of our freedom.
In Flanders Fields
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/...
November 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM
#plants #history #botany #art
Papaver Rhoeas - Common Poppy
Remembrance Sunday in 🇬🇧.
The guns of 1914 - 1918 fell silent, and we wear poppies. We pay our respects to all those who have served and fallen in the defence of our freedom.
In Flanders Fields
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/...
Papaver Rhoeas - Common Poppy
Remembrance Sunday in 🇬🇧.
The guns of 1914 - 1918 fell silent, and we wear poppies. We pay our respects to all those who have served and fallen in the defence of our freedom.
In Flanders Fields
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/...
#plants #trees #history #botany #art 🌳
Have a good weekend, get out into the woods and enjoy a little solitude if you can. 🙂
Sergei Vinogradov 1869-1938 USSR
'A walk through the woods in Autumn'
Oils on Canvas c1925 (?)
Short bio and other works:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_...
Have a good weekend, get out into the woods and enjoy a little solitude if you can. 🙂
Sergei Vinogradov 1869-1938 USSR
'A walk through the woods in Autumn'
Oils on Canvas c1925 (?)
Short bio and other works:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_...
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Reposted by Stephen Spitewinter
Today's #OnlineArtExchange is most dramatic artworks ⚡🌟
We're starting with some theatrical portraits 👉 https://artuk.org/discover/stories/hamming-it-up-a-closer-look-at-the-genre-of-theatrical-portraits
'Dame Ellen Terry, as Lady Macbeth' by Reginald Grenville Eves (1876–1941) 📷 Eden herb
We're starting with some theatrical portraits 👉 https://artuk.org/discover/stories/hamming-it-up-a-closer-look-at-the-genre-of-theatrical-portraits
'Dame Ellen Terry, as Lady Macbeth' by Reginald Grenville Eves (1876–1941) 📷 Eden herb
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Today's #OnlineArtExchange is most dramatic artworks ⚡🌟
We're starting with some theatrical portraits 👉 https://artuk.org/discover/stories/hamming-it-up-a-closer-look-at-the-genre-of-theatrical-portraits
'Dame Ellen Terry, as Lady Macbeth' by Reginald Grenville Eves (1876–1941) 📷 Eden herb
We're starting with some theatrical portraits 👉 https://artuk.org/discover/stories/hamming-it-up-a-closer-look-at-the-genre-of-theatrical-portraits
'Dame Ellen Terry, as Lady Macbeth' by Reginald Grenville Eves (1876–1941) 📷 Eden herb
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Good Morning, All... I'm now fitted with newly repaired eyesight and it's good to see you! 🧐
Sir George Clausen, R.A. 1852-1944
'Ploughing on an Autumn day'
Pencil, Watercolour, Ink and Gouache, c1925
Short bio and other works:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...
Good Morning, All... I'm now fitted with newly repaired eyesight and it's good to see you! 🧐
Sir George Clausen, R.A. 1852-1944
'Ploughing on an Autumn day'
Pencil, Watercolour, Ink and Gouache, c1925
Short bio and other works:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...
November 6, 2025 at 2:08 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Good Morning, All... I'm now fitted with newly repaired eyesight and it's good to see you! 🧐
Sir George Clausen, R.A. 1852-1944
'Ploughing on an Autumn day'
Pencil, Watercolour, Ink and Gouache, c1925
Short bio and other works:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...
Good Morning, All... I'm now fitted with newly repaired eyesight and it's good to see you! 🧐
Sir George Clausen, R.A. 1852-1944
'Ploughing on an Autumn day'
Pencil, Watercolour, Ink and Gouache, c1925
Short bio and other works:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...
#plants #trees #history #botany #art 🌲
Larix decidua - European Larch
A favourite of commercial timber planters. Tough, deciduous and withstands very low temperatures. My thanks to wbfmorningstar.bsky.social 🙂
Guide to identifying common forestry (I need one...)
ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/an...
Larix decidua - European Larch
A favourite of commercial timber planters. Tough, deciduous and withstands very low temperatures. My thanks to wbfmorningstar.bsky.social 🙂
Guide to identifying common forestry (I need one...)
ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/an...
November 6, 2025 at 2:08 AM
#plants #trees #history #botany #art 🌲
Larix decidua - European Larch
A favourite of commercial timber planters. Tough, deciduous and withstands very low temperatures. My thanks to wbfmorningstar.bsky.social 🙂
Guide to identifying common forestry (I need one...)
ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/an...
Larix decidua - European Larch
A favourite of commercial timber planters. Tough, deciduous and withstands very low temperatures. My thanks to wbfmorningstar.bsky.social 🙂
Guide to identifying common forestry (I need one...)
ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/an...
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Erythroxylum coca - Coca (shrub)
🧵/1
And so here's the plant that's making my eye surgery possible. It gets a bad name but it's where most modern local anaesthetics originate. I've posted it before but I've a special interest this week.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca
Erythroxylum coca - Coca (shrub)
🧵/1
And so here's the plant that's making my eye surgery possible. It gets a bad name but it's where most modern local anaesthetics originate. I've posted it before but I've a special interest this week.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca
November 3, 2025 at 1:08 AM
#plants #history #botany #art 🌱
Erythroxylum coca - Coca (shrub)
🧵/1
And so here's the plant that's making my eye surgery possible. It gets a bad name but it's where most modern local anaesthetics originate. I've posted it before but I've a special interest this week.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca
Erythroxylum coca - Coca (shrub)
🧵/1
And so here's the plant that's making my eye surgery possible. It gets a bad name but it's where most modern local anaesthetics originate. I've posted it before but I've a special interest this week.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca
Reposted by Stephen Spitewinter
If you are celebrating Bonfire Night this weekend, wherever you live in the world, please check for Wildlife before lighting! 🔥🦔 If you live in the UK please check for hedgehogs as they will make a home in an unlit bonfire pile 🪵🦔🍂 #bonfire #bonfirenight #hedgehog #nature #wildlife #halloween #hogs
November 1, 2025 at 12:18 AM
If you are celebrating Bonfire Night this weekend, wherever you live in the world, please check for Wildlife before lighting! 🔥🦔 If you live in the UK please check for hedgehogs as they will make a home in an unlit bonfire pile 🪵🦔🍂 #bonfire #bonfirenight #hedgehog #nature #wildlife #halloween #hogs