Small, pleomorphic Gram negative rods

0.2-0.3 x 0.5-0.8 µm,

may range from coccobacilli to short rods and filamentous rods.

They have fastidious growth requirements Facultative anaerobic

5% CO2 improves the growth and requirements for X and/or V factors for growth.

BA: no growth,
Growth is only achieved as a satellite phenomenon around a S. aureus. HorseBA
They induces clear ß-hemolysis in contrast to H. influenzae. However, the hemolytic activity may be lost due to multiple subcultures or other unkown mechanisms, and non-hemolytic H. haemolyticus strains are often misidentified as nontypeable H. influenzae. Many isolates are nonhemolytic even on primary isolation. CHOC-agar: (present in X- and V-factor)
Colonies are smooth, with a flat or convex shape.
They are nonpigmented (i.e., buff or light tan) or slightly yellow and are 0.5 to 2.0 mm in diameter. They have never been shown to produce a capsule.
Capsule is considered a crucial virulence factor for many bacterial pathogens, such as H. influenzae.

McConkey: no growth

BBAØ: growth

Satellite
H. influenzae and H. haemolyticus will grow in the hemolytic zone of S. aureus on blood agar plates, the hemolysis of cells by S. aureus releases factor V which is needed for its growth.

H. influenza and H. haemolyticus will not grow outside the hemolytic zone of S. aureus due to the lack of nutrients such as V-factor in these areas.

CHOC-agar
The heat releases X- (hemin) and V (NAD or NADP) factor from the red blood cells, and turns the medium in a chocolate brown color.

James Versalovic et al.(2011) Manual of Clinical Microbiology 10th Edition