Strawberry plant variety named ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’

Latin name: Botanical classification:

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’.

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genusthat is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18″ century by crossingwith. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovanes.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (xDuchesne x Rozier), which has been denominated as ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’.

‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ was subsequently asexually propagated via runners, and underwent further testing at test plots in Spain. The present variety has been found to be stable.

The variety ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ is a variety that was produced from a cross made in the winter of 2018. It is unknown which is the female parent and which is the male parent. The clones (daughter plants) of ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ were initially propagated from a single mother plant in 2018. Since then, ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ has been preserved through annual cycles of asexual propagation using stolons at a facility in Lepe, Huelva (Spain).

‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Spain:

‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ was particularly selected for the shelf-life and flavor of its fruit, high mid- to late season yield when grown in Spain.

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Spain. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.

The variety ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ Cleopatra is a variety that was produced from a cross made in the winter of 2018. It is unknown which is the female parent and which is the male parent. The clones (daughter plants) of ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ were initially propagated from a single mother plant in 2018. Since then, ‘MC18-20 Cleopatra’ has been preserved through annual cycles of asexual propagation using stolons at a facility in Lepe, Huelva (Spain).

The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2″ edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

A13-29, the plant variety A13-29 is protected under U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,078, application Ser. No. 15/932,974 before USPTO.