It is found in Saponaria officinalis and in Strongylodon macrobotrys where it imparts the characteristic jade color to the flower.

This coloration has been shown to be an example of copigmentation, a result of the presence of malvin (an anthocyanin) and saponarin in the ratio 1:9.

Under the alkaline conditions (pH 7.9) found in the sap of the epidermal cells, this combination produced a blue-green pigmentation; the pH of the colorless inner floral tissue was found to be lower, at pH 5.6.

Experiments showed that saponarin produced a strong yellow colouring in slightly alkaline conditions, resulting in the greenish tone of the flower.

[1] It is also found in passion flowers (Passiflora sp.).