Miller reminds Texans to contact the Texas Department of Agriculture if they receive a random package containing seeds.
In Alabama, seeds came in a package from China labeled as greeting cards.
This practice is known as agricultural smuggling. It involves the illegal import of agricultural products to bypass inspections.
Officials are urging people not to plant any seeds as they could be dangerous.
“Alabama’s climate is suitable for a wide range of plant species to establish and grow,” David Russell, an extension professor at Auburn University who specializes in invasive plant management, said in a university article on March 17. “Seed from unsolicited sources like this should never be planted, because some could have invasive potential like cogongrass, kudzu or Chinese privet that aggressively spread.”
Cogongrass, for example, can invade pastures and crops.
And Chinese privet matures rapidly and are prolific seed producers.
Americans received similar packages in 2020.
That year, people in all 50 states reported receiving unsolicited packages of seeds.
In July 2020, the USDA determined the contents of some of the unknown seeds.
Those packages included mustard, cabbage, morning glory, mint, sage, and rosemary.