A new genus, Ananthura H. Rob. & Skvarla (Asteraceae, Vernonieae), is described for Vernonia pteropoda Oliv. & Hiern in Oliv. of Central Africa. The genus has broad median shields on the involucral bracts and lophate, strongly tricolporate pollen. It is placed in the subtribe Gymnantheminae. The name V. urophylla Muschl. is lectotypified.