Helianthella microcephala

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Helianthella_microcephala_01.jpg

| status = {{TNCStatus}}

| status_system = TNC

| genus = Helianthella

| species = microcephala

| authority = (A.Gray) A.Gray 1883

| synonyms_ref = [http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/gcc-22987 The Plant List, Helianthella microcephala (A.Gray) A. Gray ]

| synonyms = *Encelia microcephala A.Gray 1873

}}

Helianthella microcephala, common name purpledisk helianthella,{{PLANTS|id=HEMI2|taxon=Helianthella microcephala|accessdate=20 July 2015}} is a North American plant species in the family Asteraceae. It grows in the southwestern United States, in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.[http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Helianthella%20microcephala.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map][http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=3785&taxauthid=1 SEINet, Southwestern Biodiversity, Arizona chapter] includes photos, description, distribution map

Helianthella microcephala is a herbaceous plant up to {{convert|80|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall. Leaves are up to {{convert|25|cm|in|abbr=on}} long. The plant usually produces 3-15 yellow flower heads per stem, in a flat-topped array. Each head contains 5-13 yellow ray flowers surrounding numerous dark brown or dark purple (almost black) disc flowers.[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250066864 Flora of North America, Helianthella microcephala (A. Gray) A. Gray 1883]