'Mystery Seeds' Arriving In Colorado Mail Boxes, Officials Warn

'Mystery seeds' from China and other countries have been sent by mail to many households, the Colorado Department of Agriculture warned. Many packages are labeled as jewelry or other items, officials said.

Unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants or be harmful to livestock, officials said. State and federal departments are working together to protect the nation's agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds.

Officials are asking anyone who receives a package to report it to the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industry Division at cda_nursery@state.co.us, at 303-548-5333 or the APHIS State plant health director.

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"Please hold onto the seeds and packaging in its original package safely, including the mailing label, until someone from the Colorado Department of Agriculture or APHIS contacts you with further instructions," state officials said.

"Do not plant seeds from unknown origins, and do not put the seeds in the trash, which could ultimately end up in the landfill and then sprout. "