Lactobacillus hilgardii is a species of bacterium found in wine, dairy products, and wine musts. Its morphology is consistent (on a cellular level) of rods that are 0.5–0.8 micrometres of both single short chains and long filament like structures. On a colony level, the bacteria appears glossy, round and white. For study, the bacteria requires malt agar and can ferment maltose, but often also requires yeast extract in order to ferment properly. To study L. hilgardii in liquid requires growing it in Elliker broth so it can show turbidity and gas formation.