New plant species in Peruvian Andes named after Lionel Messi

Researchers in Peru have named a newly discovered endangered plant species "Salvia messii" in honor of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi.

• A research team led by Paul Gonzales, Rolando Uría, and Jean Capcha Ramos discovered the plant in the Andes of central and southern Peru.
• "Salvia messii" belongs to the mint family, reaches about 1.5 meters, and bears light blue and white flowers echoing Argentina's national team colors.
• The name follows international botanical naming rules, which add the letter "i" to honor a person, giving it the meaning "Messi's plant".
• The species, which grows on dry rocky slopes at 2,000–2,400 meters above sea level, is threatened by climate change and forest fires.