MADISON, Wis. -- If you've recently received a mysterious package in the mail containing seeds, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is warning you not to plant them or throw them away.
The seeds appear to have originated from China, according to DATCP, and they are being sent to people both in Wisconsin and around the country. DATCP says the seeds may be invasive plant species, and thus should not be planted or thrown away, where they could accidentally be exposed to the soil.
If the seeds are still in their sealed packaging, DATCP says you should not open the package. Rather, you should keep the packaging and report the seeds using this online form. Once you fill out the form, you'll be contacted with further instructions.
"All foreign seeds shipped to the United States should have a phytosanitary certificate which guarantees the seeds meet import requirements," a news release from DATCP reads. "Unsolicited seeds could be invasive species, contain noxious weeds, could introduce diseases to local plants, or could be harmful to livestock. Invasive species and noxious weeds can displace native plants and increase costs of food production."
If you're looking for more information on this issue, head to DATCP's website - the agency has established a page dedicated to the mystery seeds.
