Downy serviceberry fruit is fairly sweet and makes fine jams and jellies. The fruit is relished by birds and mammals so it disappear quickly. Allegheny or smooth serviceberry, A. laevis, is a very similar species found less frequently in Indiana. Its fruits are purple, larger, sweeter and juicer than those of downy. Some taxonomists, however, argue that A. laevis is a variety of A. arborea and not a distinct species. Hybridization commonly occurs within the genus. It is basically impossible to distinguish between downy and Allegheny without fruit, flowers or new leaves.