Asanthus is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, found only in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.

[4] Asanthus and Brickellia both have cypsela (achenes) with 10 ribs, but in Asanthus the style is glabrous and narrow at the base whereas in Brickellia the style has a pubescent, enlarged base.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis has provided support that the two genera represent phylogenetically distinct lineages and thus should be recognized as distinct.

[5] The genus is named for American botanist Asa Gray, 1810–1888.

His name is added to the Greek word "anthos" meaning "flower.