 Five of the species assigned to "Gorteria" are always annuals, two always shrublets ("G. alienata" and "G. integrifolia"), and one species ("G. diffusa") is mostly annual, but populations near the coast in Namaqualand tend to survive and become woody in their second year.The stems are cylindrical (or terete) with long, stiff white hairs, rarely reddish or blackish at their foot, striped along their lengths, and sometimes with short soft hair as well.The alternately set leaves lack a stalk, have margins rolled downward and inward.