The distribution of N. altimontanum is restricted to areas that lie at ca. 1,000 m altitude. It is endemic to the Serra dos Orgaos, a mountainous area contained within the Serra do Mar. The populations of this species are mainly found in the neighborhood of Rocio, growing on the dimly lit forest floor in cloud forests. It forms small, sparse populations, .
Representatives of this species are not common in cultivation, there being only two or three distinct clones.
Serra dos Orgaos
