Genus
Mecardonia
6 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 2 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 4 still protected comes off patent on October 28, 2028.
Still under patent — 4 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- SunmecakiraPP20747Mecardonia plant named ‘Sunmecakira’UNDER PATENTOctober 28, 2028
- USMECA8205PP22871Mecardonia plant named ‘USMECA8205’UNDER PATENTDecember 11, 2030
- SAKMEC002PP24515Mecardonia plant named ‘SAKMEC002’UNDER PATENTMarch 19, 2033
- INTAMEC003PP30298Mecardonia plant named ‘INTAMEC003’UNDER PATENTSeptember 26, 2037
Already in the public domain — 2 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.
- SunmecarekiPP18210Mecardonia plant named ‘Sunmecareki’PUBLIC DOMAINMay 31, 2026
- USMECA67PP15777Mecardonia plant named ‘USMECA67’PUBLIC DOMAINMay 5, 2024
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.