The lectotypification of two names referred by Linnaeus to the genus Illecebrum (Caryophyllales): Illecebrum benghalense and Iresine javanica, with comments on Aerva tomentosa.

Linnaeus had a broad concept of Illecebrum and, based on the current circumscription wherein the genus is considered monotypic, only one out of the seventeen names Linnaeus treated in combination with Illecebrum -- I. verticillatum -- remains in the genus. The other sixteen names are now referred to other genera of both Caryophyllaceae (Chaetonychia, Paronychia, Polycarpon), and Amaranthaceae (Achyranthes, Aerva, Althernanthera, Blutaparon, Nothosaerva). Two of the species referred to Illecebrum by Linnaeus have remained to be investigated from a nomenclatural point of view, I. bengalense and I. javanicum. Illecebrum bengalense is here lectotypified with a specimen preserved at LINN and is placed in synonymy with Nothosaerva brachiata. Illecebrum javanicum, based on Iresine javanica, is lectotypified with a Burman illustration. The name Aerva tomentosa is placed in synonymy of Iresine javanica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]