Wurmbea dioica subsp. lacunaria
R.J.BatesSlender herbs, 10–40 cm high. Leaves linear, 10–35 cm long, c. 2 mm wide (measured at mid-point), base expanded on upper 2 leaves only, uppermost leaf filiform. Flowers mostly 3–15, mostly bisexual; tepals elliptic, 8–12 mm long, free or shortly fused basally, spreading, cream, nectary band pale green or brown; anthers yellow. Flowers Sept.–Nov.
LoM, Wim, VRiv, GipP. Also SA. Plants semi-aquatic, growing in shallow water in lagoons and waterholes, not appearing in dry years. Apparently restricted to lagoons associated with the Goulburn and Broken River systems and in the west of the state.
This subspecies is distinguished by its tall spikes, long, linear leaves, and cream flowers with a greenish nectary band.
Bates (1995) notes that this taxon is strongly dioecious. However, material from the Goulburn/Broken area observed during the preparation of this treatment were apparently bisexual, occasionally with some male flowers in the same inflorescence. Presence of bisexual flowers is unusual for Wurmbea dioica, and it is possible that these specimens represent yet another taxon.