Bacillus

The Bacillus genus is comprised of gram positive rods, all of which are catalase positive. Oxidase values can vary between strains/species.

Very common soil organisms known for their production of spores. These capsules hold genetic information and enough proteins to jump-start a new cell. These spores are extremely hard to destroy, requiring the high pressure steam of autoclaves to properly exterminate.

They do not often affect humans, but some like Bacillus anthracis can be serious health threats.

Bacillus are remarkably easy to identify once plated. The vast majority of them will have a rough looking texture over the surface of the colony. Even some that do not have this like subtlis will usually have indicative colony morphology of their own (in that case opaque edges of a colony but transparent interior except for the center).