Helicia rufescens is a tree in the family Proteaceae, native to Southeast Asia. The specific epithet rufescens means 'becoming reddish', referring to the of the, twigs and leaves.
Helicia rufescens grows up to 25m (82feet) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to . The smooth bark is grey with . The twigs are grey to brown. The leathery leaves are elliptic and measure up to long. The fruits dry black.
Helicia rufescens is native to Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. In Borneo, its habitat is lowland mixed dipterocarp and kerangas forests. In Peninsular Malaysia, it is found from sea level to elevations of .