Unsolicited Seeds From China Show Up In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Mysterious shipments of unsolicited plant seed packets from China have hit cities across the country — and now Marin County.

Marin's agricultural commissioner, Stacy K. Carlsen, announced Thursday that a Marin resident voluntarily surrendered one of the seed packets to staff in his Novato office. Two other local residents have reported receiving similar shipments.

State and federal agencies informed the Marin County Department of Agriculture that the seeds could be harmful to other plants and livestock.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is communicating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine a coordinated response, according to news reports. The agencies are also communicating with the U.S. Postal Service about the shipments.

In the meantime, county officials urged residents who may have received the seeds to contact Marin's Department of Agriculture at 415-473-6700.

Residents should not open, ship or dispose of packets to prevent potential dispersal of invasive species and/or quarantine pests, according to the county. Unopened seed packets should be held by the resident or a county official until more instructions are provided.

If any seeds have been planted in a pot, the resident should notify the Department of Agriculture and hold the pot with soil and seed until further instructions are provided, according to the county. If seeds have been planted in the ground, the resident should carefully mark off the area, avoid irrigating or cultivating it, and contact the department.