Five gorgonian species are common on the rocky substratum of the Mediterranean circalittoral zone (Eunicella singularis, E. cavolinii, Lophogorgia ceratophyta, Paramuricea clavata, Corallium rubrum). Application of the priority rule of zoological nomenclature led to the renaming of two species. A complete description of all these animals is given, including colony form, morphology of the polyps, morphology and morphometry of the spicules. The latter were observed by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Some new types of spicules were encountered. A short description of the ecology of each species is given.