Based on the IUCN criteria (IUCN, 2001), A. tortuosa can be included in the conservation status of Endangered EN B l ab(iii) due to its restricted area of occurrence, small population size, and projected decline in the quality of its habitat, since it grows right along the trail leading to the Desengano peak
Alcantarea tortuosa grows as a heliophyte on bare rocks above 1900m together with Alcantarea farneyi (Martinelli & And. Costa) J. R. Grant and Vellozia variegata Goeth. & Henrard near the peak of the main inselberg of the Desengano State Park, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It has only been registered from this park, where it grows inside a unique habitat known as campo de altitude (i.e., high altitude grassland), which is associated with the Atlantic rain forest domain and is very rich in endemic species (Martinelli, 1989). —SeeLasser & Maguire 1950
