Part of the mystery around the unsolicited packets of seeds US residents are receiving from China has been solved.
A US Department of Agriculture official said in a recorded statement released on July 29 that 14 species of the seeds have been identified as herbs and other plants including hibiscus and mint.
“We have identified 14 different species of seeds, including mustard, cabbage, morning glory, and some of the herbs like mint, sage, rosemary, lavender, then other seeds like hibiscus and roses,” said Osama El-Lissy, a deputy administrator for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Most of the packages of seeds are labeled as ‘jewelry’, however they contain only seeds.
All 50 US states have now issued warnings against planting the seeds.
If you do receive a mysterious package of seeds from China, this is what you should do.
- Do not plant them.
- Email the USDA immediately.
Because the last thing you want is a luscious garden full of lavender and hibiscus.
You can contact the USDA here.