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Salvia messii: New plant species named after Lionel Messi
An international team of scientists has discovered a new plant species in the Peruvian Andes and named it ‘Salvia messii’ in honor of Argentine football star Lionel Messi. The discovery, detailed in the scientific journal Phytotaxa, was led by researchers including Paúl Gonzáles from the National University of San Marcos, Rolando Uría, and Jean Capcha-Ramos.
The plant, a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, is an aromatic shrub that can reach heights of 1.5 meters. It grows in rocky, arid environments at altitudes between 2,000 and 2,400 meters above sea level. The decision to name the species after Messi was inspired by its light blue and white flowers, which mirror the colors of the Argentina national team jersey. Following botanical nomenclature rules, the name ‘messii’ uses a double ‘i’ to indicate the species is dedicated to him.
Despite the celebratory naming, researchers have classified Salvia messii as an endangered species. Its survival is threatened by a limited geographical distribution, climate change, and forest fires within its specific Andean habitat.
Entities
Andes · Andes Mountains · Lionel Messi · Paúl Gonzáles · Paúl Gonzáles Arce · Peru · Peruvian Andes · Phytotaxa · Salvia messii
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The plant is a robust shrub that can reach up to 1.5 meters in height. elsolnoticias.com.ar · www.somosjujuy.com.ar
- [● 3 SOURCES] The species is located in the Andes mountains in Peru. elsolnoticias.com.ar · www.somosjujuy.com.ar · tn.com.ar
- [● 3 SOURCES] The species is considered to be at risk of extinction due to its limited geographic distribution. elsolnoticias.com.ar · www.somosjujuy.com.ar · tn.com.ar
- [● 3 SOURCES] The plant was named Salvia messii in honor of Lionel Messi. elsolnoticias.com.ar · www.somosjujuy.com.ar · tn.com.ar
- [● 2 SOURCES] The discovery was published in the scientific journal Phytotaxa. elsolnoticias.com.ar · www.somosjujuy.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The plant grows at an altitude between 2,000 and 2,400 meters. www.somosjujuy.com.ar
- [● 3 SOURCES] The flowers of the plant are light blue and white. elsolnoticias.com.ar · www.somosjujuy.com.ar · tn.com.ar
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Salvia messii is a previously undescribed species. elsolnoticias.com.ar · www.somosjujuy.com.ar · tn.com.ar