The nomenclatural history of the genus Pteranthus (Caryophyllaceae) is reviewed. Original material of Camphorosma pteranthus and Pteranthus dichotomus came from a single gathering made by Forsskål in the desert outside Cairo, Egypt, in March 1762. The original material of C. pteranthus was grown from seed collected with the herbarium material of P. dichotomus. Pteranthus dichotomus is therefore considered a replacement name for C. pteranthus and lectotypified with the same specimen, no. 165.5 LINN (right-hand plant). A supporting epitype is chosen from flowering herbarium material of the same gathering held at C (as florets are required to distinguish between varieties). The name P. trigynus is lectotypified by a specimen preserved at MA and the varietal status of P. dichotomus var. trigynus is confirmed.