Alcantarea compacta was discovered as a rupicolous species in the “Campos Rupestres” outcrops at the border of the counties of Santana do Pirapama and Congonhas do Norte, not far from the well known Serra do Cipó National Park. It lives in completely sun-exposed sites along higher and steep parts of the plateau border, ca. 1,400 m high, as well as on less inclined rocky surfaces along the internal valleys, ca. 1,200 high. Individuals are sparsely distributed in the species range, with adult specimens producing abundant basal adventitious offsets, which is a characteristic for the genus (Leme, 2007). Other species observed sharing the same environment are Aechmea bromeliifolia (Rudge) Baker, Dyckia sp., Encholirium subsecundum (Baker) Mez, Tillandsia streptocarpa Baker, Vriesea oligantha (Baker) Mez, to name few, as well as other conspicuous species like Barbacenia sp. (Velloziaceae), Cattleya caulescens (Lindl.) H.G. Jones, and Pilosocereus aurisetus (Werderm.) Byles & G.D. Rowley (Cactaceae). —SeeLeme & Ribeiro 2010
