Everyone who visits Skopelos in the summer will be familiar with the widespread mallow, Malva sylvestris, but briony-leaved mallow, Malva unguiculata is much less common. It is an attractive plant with pale pink flowers, many stamens surrounding a central divided stigma. The stamens mature and release pollen before the stigma opens to reveal its sticky surfaces, thus preventing self pollination. The scientific species name is from the claw-shaped leaves, these are covered in dense hairs giving them a dull grey appearance.