Mystery Seeds Show Up in Teton County

Teton County Weed and Pest reported Saturday that a local resident had received one of those packages in the mail from China with mysterious seeds. Again, they remind residents not to plant them or even open them. So far, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified 14 different kinds of seeds in the mysterious packages. Some contain flowering plants like morning glory, hibiscus and roses. Others contain vegetables like cabbage and herbs including mint, sage, rosemary, and lavender. Still, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Iowa reports a resident there received seeds that may have been coated with something, possibly insecticide or fungicide, that could damage crops. The coating was something that was purple which they said appears to be some sort of seed treatment. A statement from the USDA says, “At this time, we don’t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a ‘brushing scam’ where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales.” However, they say they are still testing seeds from recipients to determine if they contain anything that may be harmful to the environment.

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