Mystery seeds sent to Wabash Valley residents

Seeds that are seemingly sent from China have been popping up all over the United States.

Even in the Wabash Valley.

Everything going on... i guess it's just one more thing" mystery seeds from china are showing up in mailboxes across the country....and right here in the wabash valley.

Now... you're being warned *not to plant them!

Good evening and thanks for joining us.

Someone from every single state has gotten these mystery seeds.

Includng right here in the wabash valley.

News 10's sarah lehman talked with the parke county sheriff.

He says his office has gotten a few calls and messages about people in his community getting these seeds.

In your top story tonight... sarah has more from the sheriff and what he says you should do.

There have been reports all over the country about people getting packets of seeds in the mail.

No one's buying them...they're just getting them!

Now -- "local" officials are trying to decided if it's a scam or something more invasive.

Everyday... people head to their mailbox to grab their mail.

Recently -- many people have been surprised to find a package they didn't order.

A package appears to be from china.

"no no it's defintely new to me."

Justin cole is the sheriff in parke county.

He says his office has gotten "multiple" calls and messages about these mysterious seeds.

"here recently we've had a few citizens that have contacted us about unsoliciated seeds that were shipped to them appearing to be from china."

Cole says if you get these in the mail... you should send them to the state plant health director.

"if you receive them don't open them, don't handle them don't dispose of them don't plant them.

I don't think anyone knows what they are yet.

It could just be an invasive plant species or it could be part of a scam.

The u.s. department of agriculture or u-s-d-a has been working hard to find out what these seeds are.

They have identified at least 14 of the plant species from the seeds.

They include things like cabbage... morning glories... mint... sage... rosemary and lavendar.

The u-s-d-a has said hibiscus and roses were also found.

They believe it's part of what's called a "brushing" scam a seller sends unsolicited packages..

And posts fake reviews to boost sales.

Sheriff cole says it's par for the course for the year.

"with everything going on it's just i guess it's one more thing so."

Even though the species identified so far are harmless... plant experts say seeds from other parts of seeds from experts say seeds from other parts of the world could still damage local crops.

They ask that you still not plant them.

And send them in to the state plant health director.

We'll have all of that contact info on our website w-t-h-i-t-v dot com.

Reporting live in the newsroom.

I'm sarah lehman news 10.

Back to you.

In tonight's crime alert... the clay county the clay crime alert... in tonight's in tonight's crime alert...