"U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has intercepted similar seed shipments in recent years. We've received your submission. The packages appear to be coming from China, according to the USDA. State agriculture officials in Virginia warned, "Invasive species wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects and severely damage crops. some illegally mailed mystery seeds from china identified: usda Of the seeds that have been tested, nothing overly sinister has been found. "I've had people describe to me that the seeds are coated with something purple. "It could be a bacteria. Although the species identified so far are harmless, plant experts have warned that seeds from other parts of the world could damage crops. This story has been shared 143,650 times. 15,561, © 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved When 22 states had reports of mysterious seeds arriving in the mail from China, it was easy to imagine a plant-based agro-terrorism was afoot. He said hibiscus and roses were also found. Facebook. So far, however, the species appear to […] August 4, 2020 / 6:55 AM The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it has identified the seeds included in bags (many of which are labeled as jewelry) shipped to random addresses in about 22 states the U.S. from China. Thousands of Americans have received mysterious seed packages from China. Some of the mystery seeds from China sprouting up in the mailboxes across the US have finally been identified — as harmless cooking ingredients, according to federal officials. ", Phylissia Clark of the Better Business Bureau told CBS DFW that if you are a victim of brushing, "your identity has been compromised.". 33,079, This story has been shared 22,070 times. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Researchers were able to put a name to at least 14 of the plant species as of July 29, including mustard, cabbage and morning glory, as well as herbs like mint, sage, rosemary and lavender. https://nypost.com/.../some-mystery-seeds-from-china-have-been-identified Police, officials think packages … Officials have said they believe the seeds may be part of a “brushing scam” — in which people receive goods they never ordered and the sender then posts a fake customer review in their name to boost sales. Texas mayor resigns after telling residents "only the strong will survive", NAACP lawsuit will put Trump "out of business," lawmaker says, Over 13 million Texans facing water crisis after brutal winter storm, Dolly Parton rejects proposed statue of her at Tennessee Capitol, California Privacy/Information We Collect. U.S. Kentucky Virginia China. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Your California Privacy Rights Took some onions seeds as example and they do look the same. ... Photo: USDA . Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged people to be cautious. SPW Staff - July 28, 2020. 60,940, This story has been shared 33,079 times. U.S. Identifies Some of the Mysterious Seeds Mailed From China The 14 varieties identified include common ones, such as hibiscus, morning glory and lavender. It turns out they’re harmless cooking ingredients. Surprisingly, most of the seeds are common plants and herbs, including mint, rosemary, … Mystery seeds from China identified "If you have planted the seeds you received, please destroy any plants that have germinated." WASHINGTON (CBS NEWS) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified some of the plant species in bags of unsolicited seeds arriving in mailboxes across the United States. Fox Business, by Cortney Moore Original Article. Officials in at least 27 states are urging residents to report any unsolicited packages of seeds that appear to have been sent from China, warning that they might be invasive or otherwise harmful. Mystery Seeds From China Identified, Source Still Unknown. China plant seeds mystery solved? So far, however, the species appear to be innocuous. Residents in all 50 states have recently reported getting the bizarre, unsolicited seed packages, apparently being sent from China. Department of Agriculture identifies mysterious seeds sent to … Terms of Use Image from the MDA. Mystery Seeds From China Identified, USDA Warns They Still Should Not Be Planted. Officials have warned the shipments of mystery seeds, which appear to have originated in China, could be invasive plant species. I haven't had it in my hands yet, but it sounds an awful lot like a seed treatment," she said. It could be another virus, some kind of invasive species," Miller told CBS Dallas-Fort Worth. "We have identified 14 different species of seeds, including mustard, cabbage and morning glory," said Osama El-Lissy, the deputy administrator of the department's plant protection program. Officials have warned that the shipments of mystery seeds, which appear to have originated in China, could be invasive plant species. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified some of the plant species in bags of unsolicited seeds arriving in mailboxes across the United States from China. However, its only one type, a lot of seed types are arriving. tweet; USDA officials have identified some of at least 15 different kinds of seeds from unsolicited packages of seeds mailed to thousands of addresses in all 50 states originating from China and often labeled as jewelry. They includes mustard, cabbage and morning glory as well as herbs like mint, sage, rosemary and lavender. The USDA continues to investigate. This story has been shared 143,650 times. 22,070, This story has been shared 15,561 times. 326. Twitter. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified some of the mysterious unsolicited packages of seeds apparently sent from China to homes across the U.S. A packet of the mystery seeds that appeared in US mailboxes. SHARE. An Arkansas man who planted them on his property before the warning was issued said the plant is producing large white fruit from orange flowers that resemble those of a squash. The seeds typically arrive in white packages displaying Chinese lettering and the words "China Post." 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The mailers were reportedly sent from China, and the contents were labeled as "stud earrings," "wire connectors," or other non-seed related items. Some Unsolicited Seeds From China Identified. Your California Privacy Rights The USDA is urging recipients to save the seeds and the packaging in which they arrive, and send them to their local plant regulatory officials for testing. Images tweeted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture show packets of unidentified seeds received in the mail, unsolicited, by state residents, apparently from China. At least 14 of the seed species had been identified as of July 29, according to Deputy Administrator Osama El-Lissy of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 143,650, This story has been shared 60,940 times. Hibiscus and rose were also found. The Washington state Agriculture Department identified the threat it sees in the seed packets in a statement issued Friday. Sitemap By Emily Czachor On 7/27/20 at 1:11 PM EDT. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/seeds-from-china-usda-investigation-identified Government agencies have released information on unsolicited seeds people have received in 22 U.S. states, including Minnesota. First published on August 3, 2020 / 7:02 AM. Unidentified Seeds From China Have Now Made Their Way to Kentucky, Virginia, Washington and Other States. Robin Pruisner, a state seed control official at the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Iowa, told Reuters that she has heard reports of a coating of possible insecticide or fungicide on the seeds, which could prove especially harmful to crops. / CBS News. Some illegally mailed mystery seeds from China identified: USDA. The USDA said if you receive the packets of seeds, do not plant them and contact your state plant regulatory official. We finally know why Americans kept getting sketchy seeds in the … I just saw a tv report about the seeds arriving in japan too, it was a report from NTV, they took the seeds from someone and took it to some seed expert and he said "its onion seeds" immediatly. Officials have warned the shipments of mystery seeds, which appear to have originated in China, could be invasive plant species.