Lactobacillus florum (flo9rum. L. n. flos -oris flower; L. gen.pl. n. florum of flowers, from which the type strain was
isolated).
Cells are Gram-positive, non-motile rods, measuring 0.861.5–7 mm. Cells occur singly or in pairs and chains.
Facultatively anaerobic. Tests for catalase are usually negative but catalase activity is found in cells grown on FYP agar containing 5 % sheep blood. Colonies on FYP agar are beige, smooth and approximately 1–2 mm in diameter after incubation for 3 days under anaerobic conditions. Surface growth under aerobic conditions is poor. Heterofermentative and produces lactic acid, ethanol and acetic acid from D-glucose at a ratio of 1 : 0.8 : 0.2. Gas is produced from D-glucose. D-Lactate and L-lactate are produced at a ratio of 1 : 1. Nitrate is not reduced. Acid is produced only from D-glucose and D-fructose. D-Fructose is fermented faster than D-glucose. Potassium gluconate is weakly fermented.