Earlier this month, Texans began receiving mysterious seed packages in their mailboxes, prompting an advisory from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. He urged recipients to report such packages to the state for further investigation. The seeds have been identified as invasive water lilies and are believed to originate from China, where e-commerce retailers Temu and Shein are based. One recipient even reported ordering a dog toy from Temu but receiving a package of seeds instead. Commissioner Miller has called on Texans to alert the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) if they receive any foreign seeds in the mail. The TDA is working with the U.S. Department of Agricultureโs (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to collect and destroy these packages through a steam sterilization process.
Texas officials warn that some of these packages may also contain unknown liquids, adding another layer of concern. One such package, received in Clute, Texas, contained sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) seeds and an unlabeled nutrient solution. This aquatic plant is considered invasive and poses a potential threat to local agriculture, native plant species, and livestock. Authorities are working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to track the source of these shipments and prevent similar occurrences in the future. The USDA has confirmed that at least one of the packages contained an invasive plant species, further emphasizing the need for caution.
If you receive an unsolicited package containing seeds:
- Do not open the bag.
- Do not dispose of them in the trash, as they could sprout and spread.
- Immediately report the package to the Texas Department of Agriculture at 1-800-TELL-TDA.
This is not the first instance of mystery seeds arriving from China. In 2020, thousands of Americans received similar unsolicited seed packages, some of which were mislabeled as jewelry. The USDA received nearly 20,000 reports of these shipments, prompting Amazon to ban the sale of imported plants and seeds in the U.S. Texans are urged to remain cautious and report any unexpected packages containing seeds to prevent potential ecological harm.
