Plum 'Early Rivers' (syn. 'Rivers Early Prolific'), mid July. A dual-purpose culinary-dessert plum raised by Thomas Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire in about 1820 from an open-pollinated 'Precoce de Tours'. Awarded a First Class Certificate by the RHS in 1895, it became established as a commercial variety in the UK. Small to medium sized, round to oval fruit. Blue-black skin with a lavender bloom. Golden yellow, firm, juicy flesh. Free stone. Rich damson-like flavour. Can be sharp but usually quite sweet and pleasant as a dessert plum when fully ripe.