New sage species named after Lionel Messi discovered in Peru
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An international team of scientists discovered a new plant species in the Andes Mountains of Peru and named it Salvia messii in honor of Lionel Messi.
The discovery began when Argentinian agronomist Rolando Uría noticed unusual images of a shrub shared online by nature enthusiasts. He connected with Peruvian botanist Paúl Gonzáles Arce and biologist Jean Capcha Ramos, and together they conducted years of research and expeditions to confirm it was a previously unknown plant.
The team published their findings in the journal Phytotaxa, explaining the naming convention of adding a second “i” to Messi’s name, messii, to indicate the plant belongs to him in Latin botanical tradition. They also noted the plant’s flowers bloom in shades of white and a pale blue resembling the colors of the Argentinian national team jersey. Researchers found Salvia messii grows within a limited range on the mountainsides between 2,000 and 2,400 meters in altitude.
Because of its small habitat and threats from wildfires and climate change, scientists have already classified the new species as endangered, highlighting the need to protect the region’s biodiversity.
