Nonflowering Plants Nonflowering plants like ferns reproduce by seed-like structures called spores. Spores are usually found on the undersides of leaves and look like tiny tufts of velvet. Spores are ripe when they easily fall off the leaf. You may want to try to germinate them but it takes a long time for germination and for a plant to develop. Now that you've learned about seeds, let's go on find out what is a seed!

Photo from Ohio State University.