Expert: Walter Hintz - 12/7/2011

Question
I have found my unknown is gram + endospore former, rod. I am sure it is bacillus but I can't really tell if its cereus or subtilis. The habitat is soil and plant litter. It test positive for Voges Proskauer (red) and Citrate (blue). I thought it is subtilis but I looked up online subtilis is more single rod and mine is more like diplobacilli/ short chain. Is there may be any other species that I should think about? I google online

Answer
  Hi Anna
B. cereus colonies are dull and more widespread then B. subtilis.B. cereus also occurs in chains. It looks like you have cereus.
Was this an assignment? If so I would expect your instructor to give you subtilis  since cereus can be a pathogen