Comments - the creation of this new variety was necessary in face of the results obtained in elaborate research.
Quesnelia edmundoi was described in 1955 by the American botanist Lyman B. Smith - based on material collected in 1948, by E. Pereira and Duarte, under no.1522. for JBRJ This species occurs, as an epiphyte, near the base of Serra de Teresopolis, in the area of Guapimirim, Mage and Barreiras, in the State of Rio de Janeiro.
Later, in December of 1981, a new variety of Quesnelia edmundoi was described - Var. rubrobracteata E. Pereira, based on collected specimens, in 1980, by Luiz Carlos and Sérgio Gurken, in the Municipal district of Silva Jardim. Nowadays, that variety can be found, epiphytically, inside of the Reserva Biological de Poco das Antas and ajacent areas.
Still in the Municipal district of Silva Jardim, in an area dominated by Var. rubrobracteata, some populations were found of Q. edmundoi that became confused with Var. rubrobracteata. This is understandable because of gaps in the description of the referred variety, giving margin for error and confusion.
The newly discovered populations, after rigorous investigation showed singular floral characteristics which were intermediate between a typical Q. edmundoi and Var. rubrobracteata, and justify a new variety.
. —SeeBras. Flor.
by Claudia Magalhaes Vieira in PESQUISAS, BOTANICA 57. 7-102. 2006
Geographical distribution: Restricted to the state of Rio de Janeiro. Just recorded in the locality og Gavioes, in the municipal district of Silva Jardim (Fig. 10).
With probably very restricted distribution, the preservation of Q. edmundoi var. intermedia, similar to the other varieties, claims special attention, which is reinforced by there not being a recording of its occurrence in conservation areas. —SeeVieira 2006