Vernonieae (Asteraceae) is a natural tribe defined mainly by discoid and homogamous heads, phyllaries imbricate in three to nine series, style branches acute with trichomes extending below the bifurcation, and cypselae 3–20-ribbed. It has been classified with morphological and molecular phylogenetic data into 21 subtribes, 127 genera and more than 1,000 species, distributed in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. The subtribe Lychnophorinae is almost completely restricted to the Central Brazilian Plateau with 11 genera, of which five are monotypic. It is usually defined by the lack of enlarged node at the base of the style and glands on the anther appendages, receptacle usually epaleaceous, and a pappus of capillary bristles or twisted straps. In the present paper we describe a new species, Anteremanthus piranii, and discuss its distribution and ecology. Morphological data were obtained from specimens collected during field trips (2011–2013) in the Serra Geral of Licínio de Almeida municipality, Bahia, Brazil. Anteremanthus piranii can be distinguished from the typical species A. hatschbachii mainly by the capitulescence terminal, 6–13 cm long (vs. axillar, 20–60 cm long), subinvolucral bracts linear at capitulum base (vs. subinvolucral bracts ovate), phyllaries pinkish-green (vs. greenish), florets 20–30, and corolla white, corolla lobes, anther, and style apex lavender (vs. florets 45–60, corolla green-cream). A distribution map, line drawing, and pictures of the new species are included.