A recently discovered plant species in the Andes mountain range of central and southern Peru has been named Salvia messii in honor of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi. According to Khaleej Times, which cited the October edition of the botany journal Phytotaxa, the species is classified as endangered primarily because of its restricted distribution. The naming convention follows historic botanical rules, where the addition of the letter "i" and the lower-case spelling of the honoree's name indicate that the plant is named after a person.
The decision to associate the plant with Messi stems from its physical characteristics. The species features white and light blue flowers that mimic the colors of the jerseys worn by the Argentina national team. Messi, who is 39 years old, has represented Argentina since 2005, making 208 appearances and scoring 126 goals. He recently announced his retirement from international play in August, after playing for the MLS club Inter Miami.
Khaleej Times also reported on a broader trend of naming flora after celebrities to raise awareness for conservation. The publication listed five other examples, including a genus of ferns named after Lady Gaga and a carnivorous pitcher plant named after Sir David Attenborough. The Attenborough species, Nepenthes attenboroughii, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and was collected on Mount Victoria in the Philippines. Another example, Caloplaca obamae, was discovered in California in 2007 and named to appreciate former US President Barack Obama's support for science.
The Salvia messii is not the only plant linked to footballers or actors; a flowering plant in Australia was named after Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in 2017. Additionally, a cultivated hybrid pitcher plant named Nepenthes ‘Helen’ was unveiled by Dame Helen Mirren at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2011. These examples illustrate how botanical nomenclature intersects with popular culture, often serving to highlight the unique traits of endangered or newly discovered species.