Helicia excelsa is a plant in the family Proteaceae. It grows as a tree up to 20 metres (70 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 25 centimetres (10 in). The bark is dark grey to blackish. Inflorescences bear up to three reddish brown flowers. Fruit is black, ellipsoid, up to 3 centimetres (1 in) long. The specific epithet excelsa is from the Latin meaning "lofty", referring to the tree's growth. Habitat is forests from sea level to 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) altitude. H. excelsa is found in Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.