WESLACO – As Valentine’s Day approaches, Customs and Border Protection officers continue to examine flower stems at various ports-of-entry.

According to a release sent by Customs and Border Protection, officers examine flower stems to “ensure that plant diseases and plant pests are detected and stopped from being introduced into the United States where they could cause harm.”

The most common prohibited type of flower found at South Texas ports-of-entry are chrysanthemums and choysia, the release said.

CBP recommends people buying flower arrangements in Mexico to “advise their florist accordingly so prohibited plant species will not be used in the arrangement.”