Most of the species are motile and have peritrichous flagella. Cells are rod shaped and 0.5 - 0.8μm x 1.0 - 5.0μm in diameter. Members of the genus characteristically produce three enzymes lipase, DNase and gelatinase. They are also resistant to polymyxin B and colistin and this resistance may be heterogeneous, leading to a target-zone appearance.