A phylogeny of the South African and Namibian genus Gorteria was recently elucidated by analysis of DNA sequence data, which indicated that the prevailing taxonomic concepts of generic circumscription and species delimitations do not reflect the evolutionary history of the group. In the present paper a reclassification of the genus is presented. The treatment includes an overview of morphological variation, an identification key, descriptions and a distribution map for all of the eight species recognized, including three new combinations (G. alienata, G. parviligulata and G. piloselloides) and one new species (G. warmbadica). Two lectotypes are designated (G. affinis and Oedera (Gorteria) alienata).