Scientists Name Endangered Peruvian Plant After Lionel Messi
By Fact Harbour News
Scientists have named a newly described plant species in honour of Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, linking the global sporting icon to a conservation concern in Peru’s Andes Mountains.
The plant, scientifically named Salvia messii, is native to the central and southern Andes of Peru. Researchers have classified it as endangered because of its restricted distribution and threats to the habitat where it grows.
The discovery was documented in a scientific paper published in the journal Phytotaxa on October 2, 2026. The research was conducted by Paúl Gonzáles of the Natural History Museum at the National University of San Marcos in Peru, Argentine researcher Rolando Uría and Jean Capcha-Ramos of the Peruvian conservation organisation Huarango Nature.
The plant grows on rocky slopes between approximately 2,000 and 2,400 metres above sea level. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which also includes familiar plants such as mint, rosemary, basil and common sage.
Researchers said the plant’s flowers helped inspire the decision to name it after Messi. Its pale blue and white colouring resembles the colours of Argentina’s national football team’s jersey, which the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has worn throughout his international career.
Although the plant is relatively small, it can grow into an aromatic shrub reaching approximately 1.5 metres in height. Its flowers feature a white tubular structure and a light blue upper lip, while its bracts display shades of pink or fuchsia.
The scientific identification followed field investigations conducted between 2023 and 2025. Researchers collected specimens from rocky ravines and examined the flowers under laboratory conditions, comparing their characteristics with botanical collections to establish that the plant represented a distinct species.
The researchers documented the species in six locations across Peru’s Lima and Ica departments. Its limited distribution contributed to its classification as endangered.
The plant faces several threats, including recurring wildfires, prolonged dry periods and road construction that can disturb or destroy its natural habitat. Scientists have warned that these pressures could place additional strain on a species that occurs within a relatively narrow geographical range.
The discovery also draws attention to the ecological importance of the transitional shrublands surrounding remnant Andean forests. Although these habitats support distinctive plant life, they have received less scientific attention than some better-known ecosystems.
The naming of Salvia messii adds to the growing list of organisms named after the Argentine footballer. Other species carrying his name include the fungus Cercopemyces messii and the Patagonian spider Acanthogonatus messii.
The researchers’ work demonstrates how scientific discoveries can connect public interest in prominent figures with biodiversity conservation. However, the naming itself does not guarantee the plant’s survival, and protecting its habitat will require practical conservation measures.
The study highlights the need for further research into Peru’s mountain ecosystems, particularly habitats outside formally protected areas. Measures proposed for the plant include conserving seeds in germplasm banks to preserve genetic material and provide an additional safeguard against the loss of wild populations.
For Messi, whose influence extends well beyond football, the botanical tribute offers an unusual connection to South American biodiversity. For conservationists, the more pressing concern is ensuring that the plant bearing his name survives the environmental pressures threatening its limited habitat.
The discovery serves as a reminder that many plant species remain poorly documented and that protecting biodiversity requires both scientific research and sustained conservation efforts.
