| Malus pumila 'Alkmene' | |
| Genus: | Malus |
| Species: | Malus pumila |
| Hybrid: | 'Cox's Orange Pippin' x 'Geheimrat Dr. Oldenburg' |
| Cultivar: | 'Alkmene' |
| Origin: |  Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, 1900 - 1949 |
| Subdivision: | 'Red Windsor' |
'Alkmene' is a German cultivar of domesticated apple, also called 'Early Windsor'.
Two natural mutations (sports) of this cultivar that have red-skinned fruit have been selected: one called 'Red Alkmene' was trademarked under the name of Red Windsor; the other is 'Ceeval'.
It was developed between the years 1900 and 1949, by the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute[1] in Müncheberg, Germany,[2] by crossing the two cultivars 'Cox's Orange Pippin' and 'Geheimrat Dr. Oldenburg' (frequently confused with the similar-sounding 'Duchess of Oldenburg'). The result is an early harvest apple (early mid season), which is very attractive,[1] with a honeyed[2] flavor similar to Cox's but slightly sharper.[1] Its main use is for fresh eating.[2]
'Alkmene' flowers early mid season, with self-fertile blossoms, hence no cross pollination is needed. Fruit size is medium and variable, flesh color is yellowish or extremely yellow for an apple,[1] skin has greenish-yellow background with orange-reddish flush and strong red strips. The 'Red Windsor' cultivar has a larger portion of red.[2] It is resistant to apple scab and susceptible to blossom frost.[1]
'Alkmene' was awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1998.[1]