What to know. As mystery seeds end up in mailboxes across the country, officials believe that a "brushing scam" is behind the unsolicited shipments. Americans are receiving unsolicited seeds from China in the mail. The seeds vary in size, color, and shape. 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. The 14 varieties identified include common ones, such as hibiscus, morning glory and lavender. Osama El-Lissy, … Here's what they are—and what to do with them. So far, however, the species appear to […] Seeds Are Also Being Sent to People in Britain. Thousands of Americans have received mysterious seed packages from China. Report unsolicited seed packages to SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov. Agricultural departments in Kentucky, Virginia, Washington, Louisiana and Kansas have issued alert notices after residents received unsolicited packages containing seeds by mail. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified 14 kinds of seeds in the mysterious packages that appear to have been sent unsolicited from China to people around the country. Mysterious seeds from China have been shipped to Americans in all 50 states, an investigation has discovered. Over the past few weeks, at least 187 Texans received unsolicited packages of mystery seeds in the mail that appeared to have come from China. Officials in several states said residents have reported receiving unsolicited packages of seeds in the mail that appear to be sent from China and are urging the public not to plant them. officials in their state. 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.. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - An answer to those mysterious seeds that folks across the country and here in Kentucky received in the mail. VDACS encourages anyone who has received unsolicited seeds in the mail that appears to have Chinese origin to contact the Office of Plant Industry Services (OPIS) at 804.786.3515 or through the [email protected] email. Employees with the Utah Department of Agriculture encouraged anyone who received mysterious seeds in the mail to please give them a call so they can pick up the mail … Non-mystery seeds used in the creation of a vegetable garden during Plant a Seed Day in Hawthorne, California on March 13, 2019. Unopened packages and packages containing objects other than seeds should be reported immediately to the USDA Anti-Smuggling hotline at 1-800-877-3835 or by email at SITC.mail@aphis.usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says it has identified some of the seeds that were mysteriously mailed to Americans from China. Seeds from China are mysteriously appearing in the mailboxes of unsuspecting Americans. Still, experts warned recipients not to plant them. ‘Hundreds, and perhaps thousands’ of people have received unwanted seeds in the mail By Emily Sweeney and Travis Andersen Globe Staff, Updated July 30, 2020, 12:35 p.m. Email to a Friend ... has been criticized as racist and anti-Chinese. DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images Also, save the packaging. If you get them, don't plant them. The packages look like standard mail — placed in light grey or beige envelopes, according to images shared by authorities. The USDA has identified the contents of mysterious seed bags that have been mailed to the United States from China. Please do not plant these seeds. Some people are randomly getting suspicious seeds from China in the mail. Mysterious seeds sent from China to US identified by Trump administration. Some of the mail misleadingly says the envelopes contain jewelry while others don't identify the package contents. The USDA now knows what some of them are. Americans Receive Mystery Seeds in the Mail, Mostly From China Agricultural officials investigate after U.S. residents get unsolicited packages, warn people not to plant them The suspicious deliveries have been reported everywhere from Louisiana to Ohio to Washington State. The seeds were mailed to people in Florida. Officials have warned the shipments of mystery seeds, which appear to have originated in China, could be invasive plant species. The packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them. At least 160 Floridians have received mysterious seeds from China in the mail The Florida Department of Agriculture is asking residents to report the packages and not to plant the seeds.