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Seeds Found At BWI Were Invasive Weed Species

LINTHICUM, Md. (AP) -- Customs and Border Protection officials say two seeds found in a traveler's bag at BWI Airport were highly invasive weed species.

Department of Agriculture botanists confirmed last week that the seeds found in a bag of cumin seed carried by a passenger from India on Jan. 27 were giant sensitive plant and giant false sensitive plant.

Giant sensitive plant forms dense, thorny thickets, particularly in wet areas. Giant false sensitive plant is can grow to more than six feet tall and has large sharp spines.

The Capital of Annapolis reports that the weeds were quarantined for testing; the cumin seeds were burned.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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