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.