Some U.S. residents are reporting receiving random packages of seeds.
At least 311 unsolicited packages from 64 locations, and a live plant, have arrived at Texas addresses from China, the department of agriculture said on March 21.
In Alabama, seeds came in a package from China labeled as greeting cards.
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.”