It is an herb or shrub native to southeastern Madagascar.

[1] Capitanopsis brevilabra is found only in the Sainte Luce area in southeastern coastal Madagascar, where it grows in humid littoral forests between sea level and 50 meters elevation.

[1] The species has a restricted range, and is threatened with habitat loss from deforestation and mining.

A portion of the species' range is in the Ambato Atsinanana protected area.

The species' conservation status is assessed as Endangered.