New Andean Plant Species Named After Lionel Messi
Researchers have officially named a high-altitude sage plant Salvia messii in honor of the renowned athlete.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Botany
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In October 2026, scientists identified a new plant species in the Andes and named it Salvia messii to honor Lionel Messi. The discovery adds to a growing list of organisms bearing the soccer star's name.
Why it matters
Taxonomists use these naming tributes to celebrate prominent cultural figures while drawing much-needed public attention to nature conservation efforts. The practice highlights the vulnerability of unique species like this newly classified sage.
Salvia messii thrives in the Andes at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 2,400 metres. The species is characterized by its white and light blue flowers and is currently listed as threatened with extinction.
The players
Lionel Messi
He is an internationally celebrated professional soccer player who has inspired the naming of multiple newly discovered species.
The details
The plant was classified as a new sage species during a recent study in the Andean region. Researchers hope the naming convention encourages wider interest in the protection of rare flora found in these high-altitude ecosystems.
Timeline
2023: The spider Acanthogonatus messii was described.
May 2024: Guinness World Records recognized five species named after Lionel Messi.
2024: The fungus Cercopemyces messii was officially described.
October 2026: The plant species Salvia messii was named after Lionel Messi.
The Big Picture
The naming of Salvia messii follows the trend set by the Guinness World Records recognition of species named after Lionel Messi in May 2024. This latest classification continues the evolution of taxonomic naming practices that leverage celebrity status to highlight biodiversity.
The identification of Salvia messii provides researchers with a new biological reference point for studying high-altitude plant resilience. This discovery may assist botanists in developing future preservation techniques for threatened species in similar Andean climates.
The takeaway
Naming new species after cultural icons is an increasingly popular way to boost visibility for conservation science. This approach underscores the importance of protecting endangered plants like Salvia messii before they disappear from their Andean habitats.
Further reading
Learn more about recent discoveries in the field of Botany.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BGNES: Breaking News, Latest News and Videos.
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Does naming species after famous public figures effectively increase interest in nature conservation?
