Orites excelsus

Orites excelsus is a rainforest tree of northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland. Known colloquially as the prickly ash, mountain silky oak or white beefwood, it is a member of the genus Orites within the family Proteaceae.

Orites excelsus grows to 30 m (100 ft) high with grey-brown bark. The juvenile leaves are lobed (pinnatisect), while adult leaves are simple – lanceolate, ovate or oblong, and are 4–18.5 cm (1.6–7.4 in) long by 1.5–4.5 cm (0.6–1.8 in) wide. New growth is covered in rusty hairs, but the leaves become smooth, glossy green above and grey or white below. Appearing in winter and spring, the inflorescences are axillary and measure 5 to 11 cm in length, and are composed of white fragrant flowers.