- Cryptanthus regius saxicolous on rock outcrops of the "Campos Rupestres" of Serra de Sao Jose, near the "Marco Zero" of the "Estrada Real", near the border of Tiradentes and Sao Joao Del Rey. The "Estrada Real" is a historical route created in 17th century by the Portuguese Crown to explore gold and other natural resources, and so it inspired the name of this new species, which was encountered very close it.
The known populations of Cryptanthus regius may partially overlap the occurrence area of the new taxon described below, although plants of both species were not found growing side by side. —SeeJ. Bromeliad Soc.
