Scientists don name one newly discovered plant species inside Peru after Argentine football star Lionel Messi. Di plant, wey dem call Salvia messii, dey classified as endangered, and e dey found for di Andes mountains of central and southern Peru.
Climate change and forest fires dey threaten di plant survival, according to di report. The Athletic talk say di plant light blue and white flowers resemble di colours of Argentina national team jersey.
Dem document di discovery for one study wey dem publish for October 2026 edition of scientific journal Phytotaxa. Di plant belong to mint family and e fit grow reach about 1.5 metres tall. E dey thrive for rocky, dry mountain slopes at elevations between 2,000 and 2,400 metres above sea level.
Paúl Gonzáles of di Natural History Museum of the National University of San Marcos lead di research, alongside Argentinian researcher Rolando Uría and biologist Jean Capcha Ramos of Huarango Nature.
Di name Salvia messii follow botanical naming conventions, wey dey use suffix ‘i’ to show say dem name one species in honour of a person. Messi don win Ballon d'Or eight times, and di discovery add to how im name dey reach beyond football stadiums.
