This species is an epiphyte native to Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil.

[1][2][3] Three varieties are recognized:[1] The large infructescences of the plant dry up and may remain standing for a year or more, during which time they are inhabited by a variety of insect species and other arthropods.

Several species of ants, termites, and bees build nests in the dry fruiting structure.

Surveys have revealed the nests of ants in the genera Camponotus, Pseudomyrmex, and Solenopsis, and termites of the genera Cortaritermes and Velocitermes.

Other inhabitants of the plant include giant butterfly-moths, hoverflies, beetles, pseudoscorpions, springtails, and spiders.