Distribution and habitat: Aechmea bromeliifolia var. albobracteata occurs from Argentina and Paraguay to central, south and south-eastern Brazil, in Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and Parana states (Fig. 6). It grows at 100-900 m altitude, in semi-deciduous forest, cerrados and campos rupestres.
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN, 2001).
Notes: In the taxonomic treatment for Aechmea subgenus Macrochordion, Smith & Downs (1979) disregarded the relevance of white peduncle bracts for the recognition of A. bromeliifolia var. albobracteata, and this type specimen was included in the list of examined material for A. bromeliifolia var. bromeliifolia. Almost all herbarium material listed as A. bromeliifolia var. albobracteata in this study was previously identified as var. bromeliifolia. In revising specimen identifications, besides the colour of the peduncle bracts, we also considered information about peduncle and floral bract coloration and the geographical origin of the specimen. —SeeFaria, Wendt & Brown 2010
