Distribution & Habitat
This species was initially found in slope forest at an altitude of ca. 1 ,200 m. It was later found in the north-central part of Rio de Janeiro state, in Atlantic forest at around 50 m altitude. At these sites, N. fradense lives in the litter accumulated on the forest floor, sometimes forming large, dense populations such as those seen in Casimiro de Abreu.
The type locality is an area of pronounced biodiversity, and here the species shares the habitat with many other rare or endemic bromeliads such as Aechmea caesia, Vriesea arachnoidea, V. fradensis and V. altimontana. Although it is not adequately protected in the Pico do Frade area in Macae, N. fradense is found in Desengano State Park and in several areas officially designated to protect the golden lion tamarin, such as Poco das Antas Biological Reserve and Fazenda Uniao belonging to the Federal Railroad Network (RFFSA).
Nidularium fradense flowers from February to May. There are about four different clones in cultivation. —SeeLeme 2000a
