I have seen this as well as subsp. latifolia in situ, and am amazed that they are even considered the same species. Both differ in capsule shape, leaf shape and positioning, gender dimorphy (male and female plants in subsp. latifolia are extremely dissimilar), and possibly in their habitat preference.
Subsp. latifolia is restricted to a small area in South Australia's Mid-North region, with much of its habitat lost to agriculture; whereas subsp. vanessae is widespread along mainly coastal areas of South Australia and Victoria, with one very old record from the far south coast of New South Wales, and of course the old and new records from the one spot in Tasmania. Inland populations of subsp. vanessae may deserve investigation into their status.
I am convinced that subsp. vanessae deserves recognition as a separate species. It is an open question as to what name it will receive at that rank: Wurmbea multiflora, W. vanessae, or something completely different and more appropriate? I believe the same to be true for the subspecies of W. biglandulosa and W. dioica.
I should also add that this pretty little bulb has a wonderful perfume - one collector described it as a "powerful apricot pie" fragrance, and I agree. So strong, in fact, that one doesn't need to get down on their hands and knees to catch a whiff of its lovely scent!
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