Aechmea pimenti-velosoi

The Serra do Mar coastal forests ecoregion lies within the most densely populated region of Brazil, so little native habitat remains. The fertile lands of the coastal plain have long been under cultivation for agriculture and have been further deforested for conversion to coffee and banana plantations. Continued threats, including urbanization, industrialization, agricultural expansion, colonisation, and associated road-building, come from the rapidly growing population of this developing country. Due to its ornamental value, the species may be threatened by collection in the wild. The extent of harvesting is unknown, however.

This species is not known from any protected areas, but is widely cultivated in a number of botanical institutions, particularly in Germany (Ulm, Dresden, Hannover, Bochum and Osnabrueck); however the origin of these plants is unknown. There are also living collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Paignton Zoological and Botanical Gardens, UK. The plant currently growing at Kew was cultivated from material sent from Durban Botanical Garden.
Taxonomic research is needed; this species is very similar to A. recurvata, which has a wide distribution. Furthermore, the species hasn't been collected since 1952. It is probable that collections have been made but were given different determinations (M. d'Ávila de Moraes pers. comm. July 2013).