(TheBlaze) – An Arkansas man who says he received a packet of unknown seeds from China has planted them — and KSFM-TV calls the burgeoning plant “wild.” Packages of unsolicited seeds from China began showing up in mailboxes across the country in July, stumping agriculture and commerce officials in the process.
In early statements, the USDA said it believes that the products are part of what could be a “brushing scam,” in which people receive unsolicited items to, in turn, create fake customer reviews for the purpose of boosting sales. What are the details? Booneville, Arkansas, resident Doyle Crenshaw said he planted a nondescript — and unsolicited — package of seeds from China.
“We … planted the seeds just to see what would happen,” he told the station, revealing that the large plant — which initially grew from orange-colored flowers — is producing large, white fruits. “Every two weeks I’d come by and put Miracle-Gro on it, and they just started growing like crazy,” he admitted.
The Booneville resident said that he only opted to plant the seeds before the USDA issued a warning against doing so to U.S. residents. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture warned, “Our concern is from an invasive pest aspect: These seeds could introduce an invasive weed or an invasive insect pest or a plant disease.” READ MORE
I can’t drive from California into AZ with so much as a salad in my vehicle but China can ship me “unknown seeds” with my government’s assistance. #defundthepostoffice. Only an Arkansas ridge runner would plant a pack of unknown seeds from another country in their yard.