SummaryThe literature on Ipomoea carnea and I. fistulosa is briefly discussed. Original publications, illustrations, type specimens, distributions, and habitat preferences are reviewed, and the criteria used to separate these two names at the species level are found invalid. Modern interpretation of I. carnea has been based in part on a misconception of the original publication and on a complex population adapted for two habitats. Two subspecies are recognized: I. carnea ssp. carnea Jacq. and I. carnea ssp. fistulosa (Mart, ex Choisy) D. Austin.