What type of plants reproduce through spores instead of seeds?

Ferns are a group of plants that reproduce through spores rather than seeds. This reproductive method is characteristic of non-flowering vascular plants, which includes ferns and their relatives, such as mosses and liverworts. In contrast to seed-producing plants, ferns have a life cycle that involves alternating between two generations: the sporophyte, which produces spores, and the gametophyte, which produces gametes. The spores are typically released into the environment, where they can germinate to form new fern plants.

Flowering plants, conifers, and cacti are all seed-producing plants. Flowering plants produce seeds through a process that involves flowers, while conifers reproduce by forming cones that contain seeds. Cacti, like flowering plants, also rely on seeds for reproduction, although they have adaptations to thrive in arid environments. Hence, the unique reproductive strategy of ferns using spores distinguishes them from these groups.