Genus
Bouteloua
12 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 9 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 3 still protected comes off patent on May 12, 2030.
Still under patent — 3 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- Blonde AmbitionPP22048Bouteloua grass plant named ‘Blonde Ambition’UNDER PATENTMay 12, 2030
- HoneycombPP33101Bouteloua gracilis plant named ‘Honeycomb’UNDER PATENTDecember 1, 2040
- Zig ZagPP36592Bouteloua hybrid plant named ‘Zig Zag’UNDER PATENTNovember 21, 2042
Already in the public domain — 9 cultivars
Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell these plants — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.
- DensityPP17356Buffalograss plant named ‘Density’PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 18, 2026
- MBPP17239Buffalograss plant name ‘MB’PUBLIC DOMAINJanuary 18, 2026
- UCD-95PP12910Buffalograss plant named ‘UCD-95’PUBLIC DOMAINAugust 19, 2021
- NE86-120PP11191Buffalograss plant named `NE86-120`PUBLIC DOMAINOctober 22, 2017
- NE86-61PP11194Buffalograss plant named `NE86-61`PUBLIC DOMAINOctober 22, 2017
- NE91-118PP11373Buffalograss plant named `NE91-118`PUBLIC DOMAINOctober 22, 2017
- HilitePP8896Buffalograss plant called `Hilite` 15PUBLIC DOMAINOctober 25, 2013
- HilitePP8897Buffalograss plant called `Hilite` 25PUBLIC DOMAINOctober 25, 2013
- AZ-143PP9208Buffalograss variety called "AZ-143"PUBLIC DOMAINSeptember 17, 2013
A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name comes with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked, so they are always free to use. What it does not free is any brand name the plant is marketed under. Those are trademarks and renew indefinitely.