1. Non-flowering vascular plants: Both ferns and mosses are non-flowering plants that reproduce via spores. They also lack the specialized vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) that flowering plants have for transporting water and nutrients.

2. Spore-producing: Both ferns and mosses reproduce using spores, not seeds. These spores are microscopic and dispersed by the wind to reproduce.

3. Typically found in moist environments: Both ferns and mosses thrive in damp, shady environments. They rely on water for reproduction and to prevent desiccation.

4. Ancient lineage: Both groups have been around for millions of years, with mosses being the oldest and ferns having a long history as well.

5. Lack of true roots: While mosses have root-like structures called rhizoids, they don't have true roots like flowering plants. Ferns have true roots but they are not as complex as those of flowering plants.

6. They are both important components of ecosystems: They provide habitat for various organisms, help with erosion control, and contribute to nutrient cycling.

However, they also have some differences:

* Ferns have vascular tissue: While it's less complex than that of flowering plants, ferns have true vascular tissue for transporting water and nutrients, allowing them to grow taller and more complex than mosses.

* Mosses lack true vascular tissue: They rely on diffusion for water and nutrient transport, which limits their size and complexity.

* Ferns have true leaves: They are called fronds, and are more complex than the simple leaf-like structures of mosses.

* Mosses are more primitive: Mosses are considered more primitive than ferns, having evolved earlier in the history of plants.

Overall, ferns and mosses share a common ancestor and certain ecological roles but have evolved different strategies for survival and reproduction.