Due in part to its distinctive and variable morphology, traditional taxonomy has not resolved the systematic position of Aethionema trinervium Boiss., which has been previously placed in several different genera including Aethionema R. Br., Eunomia DC., Hutchinsia R. Br., and Thlaspi L. Using sequence data from the ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions of ribosomal DNA, A. trinervium has been added to a previously published data set composed of proposed congeners and related taxa in order to clarify its phylogenetic relationships. Our molecular analysis indicates that A. trinervium is not a member of Aethionema, but is instead highly nested within Vania F. K. Mey., a segregate lineage of the nonmonophyletic Thlaspi s.l. Based on these results and subsequent taxonomic recommendations, we transfer A. trinervium to Vania, described from Iran, as the new combination V. trinervia (DC.) Khosravi, Jacquemoud, Menke, Mumm. & Mohsenz. Furthermore, we have lectotypified the species.