For the Asian erect herbaceous asclepiad species, known as ‘Asian white swallow-wort’, different scientific names under the genera Vincetoxicum Wolf or Cynanchum L. (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), are used in floras of Japan, Korea and China. Based on a thorough survey of relevant literature and specimens, we propose a new combination V. acuminatifolium (Hemsl.) Ohi-Toma & K.Mochizuki based on a replacement name for V. acuminatum Decne. Additionally, we designate a neotype for the name V. acuminatum Decne.