# Discovery of Salvia messii plant species > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/discovery-of-salvia-messii-plant-species > Updated: 2026-10-18T18:48:55.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 2. An international team of scientists has discovered a new aromatic shrub species in the Peruvian Andes and named it ‘Salvia messii’ in honor of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi. The discovery, detailed in the journal Phytotaxa, involved researchers including Paul González from the National University of San Marcos, independent researcher Rolando Uría, and Jean Capcha-Ramos from Huarango Nature. A member of the Lamiaceae family, the shrub can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and features light blue and white flowers intended to mirror the colors of the Argentina national team jersey. The species grows on rocky slopes in the Lima and Ica regions at altitudes between 2,000 and 2,400 meters. It is noted for containing essential oils and high concentrations of flavonoids, which may provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. This discovery marks the sixth biological entity named after Messi, joining previous honors such as a fungus, a spider, a lizard, and prehistoric fossils. Despite the tribute, researchers have preliminarily classified the species as endangered due to its limited geographical distribution and threats including climate change, forest fires, droughts, and road construction within its specific Andean habitat. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-18: Lionel Messi honored with new plant species discovery in Peru Scientists have named a newly discovered plant species in the Peruvian Andes ‘Salvia messii’ to honor footballer Lionel Messi. The blue and white flowering shrub is currently considered endangered. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-plant-species-salvia-messi-named-after-lionel-messi ### 2026-10-16: Salvia messii: New plant species named after Lionel Messi Scientists have discovered a new plant species in the Peruvian Andes, named ‘Salvia messii’ in honor of Lionel Messi due to its light blue and white flowers. The species is considered endangered. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/salvia-messii-new-plant-species-named-after-lionel-messi-discovered-in-peru --- Cite as: Discovery of Salvia messii plant species. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/discovery-of-salvia-messii-plant-species