Distribution & habitat
This new species was found in moist Atlantic forest on steep, inaccessible slopes facing the sea at altitudes over 600 m. It grows exclusively as an epiphyte, scattered throughout the lower layer of the forest as lone plants or forming small clumps. No other Nidularium species were observed sharing the same habitat. However, populations of N. meeanum occupy the same type of relief at around 100 m altitude.
This entire region has been the focus of intense selective removal of ornamental plants and hearts-of-palm, but extensive areas of Atlantic forest still remain. Although the physiognomy of these forests has not changed, they are visibly poorer in species, especially bromeliads and orchids, and adult Euterpe edulis palms are practically nonexistent.
Three different clones of N. mangaratibense were recently introduced into cultivation, but the species is not protected in any public conservation unit. —SeeLeme 2000a
