Helianthus microcephalus

{{Short description|Species of sunflower}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Helianthus microcephalus.jpg

|image_caption =

|genus = Helianthus

|species = microcephalus

|authority = Torr. & Gray{{cite web

| url = http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HEMI3

| title = PLANTS Profile, Helianthus microcephalus

| accessdate = 2008-04-14

| author = Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

| authorlink = Natural Resources Conservation Service

| work = The PLANTS Database

| publisher = United States Department of Agriculture

}}

|synonyms = Helianthus pallidus (Elliot) Farw.

Helianthus parviflorus Bernh. ex Spreng.

|synonyms_ref ={{cite web

| url = http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/synonyms.asp?plantID=2203

| title = Helianthus microcephalus

| accessdate = 2008-04-14

| author = Dr. Richard Wunderlin or Dr. Bruce Hansen

| authorlink = University of South Florida

| year = 2006

| work = Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants

| publisher = Institute for Systematic Botany

}}

|}}

Helianthus microcephalus is a perennial species of Helianthus also known as small woodland sunflower or small-wood sunflower or small-head sunflower{{GRIN | accessdate = 2008-04-14 }} or simply as woodland sunflower. It is a native of Northern America, and is to be found growing in open woodlands and along roadsides. It is a host plant for the American painted lady, painted lady, and spring azure butterflies. It is also a larval host plant for the silvery checkerspot butterfly.{{Cite web|title=Helianthus microcephalus (Small-headed Sunflower, Small Woodland Sunflower, Woodland Sunflower) {{!}} North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox|url=https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/helianthus-microcephalus/|access-date=2022-01-16|website=plants.ces.ncsu.edu}}