Butterflies aren't the only ones attracted to local flora.
More people than ever are visiting the Florida Museum of Natural History's Butterfly Plant Sale, which is now seven days a week, and buying plants that attract the popular insects.
Originally offered only on Saturday and Sunday, the sale became daily after this year's Earth Day on April 22 as more people grew interested, said Jeff Hansen, assistant manager of the Butterfly Rainforest Vivarium.
In 2008, the museum made $30,000 from the sales. This year, profits have increased by four times, with profits totaling about $120,000, he said.
"We noticed a large interest in butterflies," said Leeann Bright, the museum's marketing and public relations coordinator. "People wanted to attract butterflies to their homes."
Hansen said profits from the plant sale help fund some of the museum's departments after state budget cuts.
Each week there are 10 new species of plants offered at the sale, which are listed on the museum's website. There is at least one unannounced plant each week, Bright said.
Butterfly Rainforest workers staff the plant sale and answer visitor's questions.
"I always recommend two host plants and two nectar plants," said Patti Winters, one of the staffers.
The plants available are either native to Florida or grow well in the Florida environment.
All plants at the sale are not sprayed with pesticides and some plants can be purchased in biodegradable containers.
"We offer the rare and unusual plants that you won't find in stores," Hansen said. "It has been very successful and brings more money to the Butterfly Rainforest."
Plants range from $3 for a 4-inch pot to $18 for a 3-gallon pot.
"I'm like a butterfly," Kathy Gayle said, who was visiting from North Carolina with her mother, Florence Kuttner. "I like bright flowers with the pretty smells."
Kuttner was visiting the plant sale for the first time, and both women agreed they were drawn to an "aesthetically pleasing" combination of butterflies and flowers.
For the rest of the year, the plant sale will be open outside the museum's front entrance on Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
